Ten-time African champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria, have commenced training in Lomé, Togo, ahead of their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final qualifying match against Benin Republic.
Six-time CAF Women’s Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, is among the early arrivals in camp, alongside new invitee Joy Omewa and Turkey-based defender Tosin Demehin.
Also in camp are China-based forward Folashade Ijamilusi and five home-based players:
Goalkeeper: Anderline Mgbechi
Defenders: Blessing Ilivieda and Miracle Usani
Midfielder: Taiwo Afolabi
Forward: Kafayat Mafisere
Head Coach Justine Madugu confirmed that the team’s first training session in Lomé will take place on Monday afternoon as preparations intensify for the crucial fixture.
The match will hold at the 25,000-capacity Stade de Kégué on Friday at 3 p.m. Togo time (4 p.m. Nigeria time). Benin will host the game in Togo as they do not have a Confederation of African Football (CAF)-approved stadium.
This fixture doubles as a qualifier for the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco and as part of the qualifying pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The return leg is scheduled for October 28 at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta.
Match Officials
Referee: Ngum Fatou (Gambia)
Assistant Referees: Mariem Chedad and Hamedine Houleye (Mauritania)
Fourth Official: Isatou Touray (Gambia)
Match Commissioner: Halimatou Hamidou (Niger Republic)
Referee Assessor: Martha Nyekanyeka (Malawi)
Super Falcons Squad List vs Benin Republic
Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Hove Albion, England)
Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels)
Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)
Defenders:
Osinachi Ohale (CF Pachuca, Mexico)
Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy)
Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA)
Ashleigh Plumptre (Al Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia)
Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens)
Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray, Turkey)
Miracle Usani (Abia Angels)
Midfielders:
Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels)
Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA)
Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)
Forwards:
Chinwendu Ihezuo (CF Pachuca, Mexico)
Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjørring, Denmark)
Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada)
Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia)
Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang, China)
Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens)
