The Super Falcons of Nigeria have officially booked their place at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a tense 1–1 draw against the Benin Republic Amazons on Tuesday evening at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, a result that sealed a 3–1 aggregate victory for the 10-time African champions.
Despite Nigeria’s bright start and a first-half goal from Ashleigh Plumptre, Benin Republic delivered a spirited second-half performance that stunned the home crowd and reminded everyone that women’s football in West Africa is on the rise.
The match began with the Super Falcons on the front foot, buoyed by their 2–0 first-leg win in Cotonou last week. With captain Rasheedat Ajibade leading the charge and Deborah Abiodun dictating play from midfield, Nigeria dominated possession early on and looked determined to kill off the tie within the first 30 minutes.
Their efforts paid off when Ashleigh Plumptre, rose highest to meet a precise corner kick, sending a looping header into the top corner. It was a landmark moment for Plumptre, her first-ever international goal for Nigeria, and it brought Abeokuta to its feet.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Plumptre said after the game. “It’s a really special moment for me. I’m just happy to have contributed. The fans have been amazing, and this team deserves to be at WAFCON.”
At that point, the tie looked settled. Nigeria were 3–0 up on aggregate, cruising in control, and seemingly on their way to a comfortable qualification. But the Benin Amazons had other plans.
The visitors came out after halftime with renewed intensity, pressing higher up the pitch and forcing the Falcons into mistakes. Their efforts were rewarded midway through the second half when Yasminath Djibril powered home a towering free kick past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, silencing the home fans and bringing life back into the contest.
From then on, it was all Benin. The Amazons fought for every ball, chased every loose pass, and denied Nigeria the comfort of slowing down the tempo. Their physicality, energy, and tactical discipline frustrated the Falcons, who were caught off guard by the visitors’ fearless play.
Head coach Justin Madugu later admitted that Benin’s second-half performance showed how much women’s football had grown across Africa.
“We knew what was at stake,” Madugu said. “The first-leg win gave us confidence, but we wanted to finish the job here in front of our fans. Credit to Benin, they played with a lot of courage and gave us a tough time. But in the end, the most important thing was to qualify, and we did that.”
Indeed, qualification was the goal and Nigeria achieved it, even if the performance left plenty for Madugu and his coaching crew to reflect upon.
The Super Falcons’ composure was tested in the final moments as Benin poured forward in search of a second goal.
When the referee blew the final whistle, relief mixed with celebration. The Nigerian players embraced, and the team could finally exhale, the job was done.
Benin Republic, though eliminated, left Abeokuta with their heads held high. Their brave second-half display earned them admiration from both sets of supporters. Many fans at the MKO Abiola Stadium stood to applaud their effort a sign of respect for a team that refused to back down.
With the 1–1 result, Nigeria advanced 3–1 on aggregate and will now shift focus to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where they’ll aim to defend their record 10 continental titles and continue building towards qualification for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup.
For the Super Falcons, it was a night that tested character more than flair. For Benin Republic, it was a performance that announced their arrival among Africa’s emerging football forces.
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