Super Falcons secure 2026 WAFCON spot after beating Benin on aggregate

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have qualified for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following a 3-1 aggregate victory over Benin Republic.

The Falcons played out a 1-1 draw with the Amazons of Benin Republic in the second leg of the qualifiers on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Having won the first leg 2-0 in Lome, Togo—thanks to goals from Esther Okoronkwo and Chinwendu Ihezuo—Nigeria sealed their qualification comfortably.

Defender Ashleigh Plumptre opened the scoring for Nigeria in the first half, heading home from a perfectly delivered Okoronkwo corner. The goal marked Plumptre’s first for the national team since switching allegiance from England to Nigeria in 2017.

Benin Republic, however, equalised in the 61st minute through Yasmine Djibril. Despite the late pressure, Justin Madugu’s side held firm to maintain the scoreline and confirm Nigeria’s place at next year’s tournament in Morocco.

The Super Falcons, who are defending champions, have won the WAFCON a record 10 times—lifting the trophy in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018.

The 2026 edition of the tournament is scheduled to hold from March 17 to April 3 in Morocco and will also serve as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Semi-finalists from the WAFCON will earn automatic tickets to the World Cup, while two additional teams will have a chance through the intercontinental playoffs.

Nigeria have participated in all editions of the Women’s World Cup and reached the Round of 16 in 2023 before losing to eventual finalists England on penalties.