2026 Women’s AFCON Qualifiers: Ajibade, Nnadozie Lead Super Falcons Squad for Benin Clash

Posted : 18 October 2025

The Super Falcons have announced a 21-player squad, including Rasheedat Ajibade and Chiamaka Nnadozie, for 2026 Women’s AFCON qualifying tie.

Days after the Super Eagles dashed Benin Republic’s hopes of a first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance, Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, are ready to prevent their West African neighbours from reaching the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The two countries meet in the final qualifying fixture for the tournament, which will be hosted by Morocco and also serves as Africa’s qualifying route for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Ten-time champions Nigeria enter the tie as clear favourites.

For the first leg at Stade Kegue in Lome (Benin Republic lacks a CAF-approved venue), head coach Justine Madugu has called up a 21-player squad, comprising three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders, and six forwards. The squad includes captain Rasheedat Ajibade, named Player of the Tournament at this year’s Women AFCON in Morocco, who recently scored for her new club Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Other key players include goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie (Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year for two consecutive years), defenders Michelle Alozie and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Jennifer Echegini and Deborah Abiodun, and forwards Asisat Oshoala, Chinwendu Ihezuo, and Folashade Ijamilusi.

The squad also features Mexico-based defender Osinachi Ohale, midfielder Christy Ucheibe, and forward Esther Okoronkwo. The return leg is scheduled for MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta, on Tuesday, October 28.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca CF, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, 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 (Pachuca CF, Mexico); Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjorring FC, Denmark); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens)

2026 Women’s AFCON Qualifiers: Ajibade, Nnadozie Lead Super Falcons Squad for Benin Clash

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