Falcons Won Benin To Seal 2026 WAFCON Ticket

Despite being held to a 1-1 draw by the Benin Republic in Abeokuta on Tuesday, 10-time African champions, Nigeria, qualified for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco thanks to a 3-1 aggregate win, according to PUNCH reports.

Defender Ashley Plumptre opened the scoring with her first goal for Nigeria in the 13th minute, but it didn’t set the tone for a whitewash as Yasminath Djibril levelled matters in the second half.

The Super Falcons had secured a 2-0 win during the first leg in Lome, Togo, last Friday, and it was enough cushion for them after the visitors fought for a point in Abeokuta.

Playing at home since their 10th WAFCON triumph, the Falcons were greeted by a packed stadium in the Ogun State capital, where they had also finalised their preparations for the 2024 WAFCON triumph.

The Amazons turned out to be credible fighters against the African champions, as they approached the game with vigour, passion, and vibrancy, with the pacy and nimble-footed Dossi Germaine Honfo and Yenido Romaine Gandonou the lead orchestrators.

However, the Super Falcons were calm, collected and confident, forcing the Amazons to clear their lines after Captain Rasheedat Ajibade freed Asisat Oshoala as the Falcons surged forward in the 8th minute.

Five minutes later, Nigeria took the lead when defender Plumptre nodded firmly into the net from a corner by Esther Okoronkwo.