Nigeria’s Super Falcons have secured qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after defeating Benin Republic 3–1 on aggregate in the final round of qualifiers.
The Falcons were held to a 1–1 draw by the Amazons of Benin Republic in the second leg on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, but advanced comfortably following their 2–0 first-leg victory in Lome, Togo, courtesy of goals from Esther Okoronkwo and Chinwendu Ihezuo.
Defender Ashleigh Plumptre opened the scoring in Abeokuta, heading home from an Okoronkwo corner to register her first international goal since switching allegiance from England to Nigeria in 2017.
Benin’s Yasmine Djibril equalised in the 61st minute, but the Super Falcons held firm to secure the draw and book their place in Morocco, hosts of next year’s continental showpiece.
The 2026 WAFCON, scheduled for March 17 – April 3, will also serve as the African qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four semi-finalists will automatically qualify, while two additional teams will earn playoff spots.
Nigeria are defending champions, having claimed their record-extending 10th WAFCON title after a dramatic victory over hosts Morocco in the last edition. The nine-time African queens have featured in every Women’s World Cup since 1991 and reached the Round of 16 in 2023, where they were eliminated by England on penalties.
