The Super Falcons of Nigeria will take on the Bénin Republic’s Amazons on Friday in the first leg of their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final qualifying round at the 25,000-capacity Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo.
Head Coach Justine Madugu, who has 19 players available for selection, said his team is focused on securing a convincing result away from home before the return leg in Nigeria next Tuesday.
“We have a team that will go out there and make us proud,” Madugu said ahead of the match. “Yes, we would have loved to have Jennifer (Echegini) but we do not, and we can only pray for her to recover quickly. On Friday, we will play our game and seek the goals that will put us in a good stead ahead of the return leg.”
The 10-time African champions are hoping to make a strong statement as they begin their title defence.
The 2026 tournament, to be hosted again by Morocco, will also serve as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with all semi-finalists earning automatic tickets.
With Jennifer Echegini ruled out due to injury, Madugu is expected to deploy US-based midfielder Deborah Abiodun alongside captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Christy Ucheibe in the middle of the park. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is set to lead from the back, supported by defenders Michelle Alozie, Tosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale, and Ashley Plumptre.
In attack, Madugu has several options including Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, six-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, new entrant Joy Omewa, and China-based forward Folashade Ijamilusi.
Gambian referee Ngum Fatou will officiate the fixture, which kicks off at 3 p.m. local time (4 p.m. in Nigeria).
The Falcons are seeking to maintain their dominance in African women’s football as they chase an 11th continental title and another appearance on the global stage.
16 Teams for 2026 Morocco Finals
The Guardian reports that no fewer than 16 team will feature in the next installment of the WAFCON after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) expanded the number of countries playing in the competition from 12.
The decision, announced following CAF’s Executive Committee meeting in Kinshasa, marks another milestone in the evolution of the tournament, which has seen steady growth since its inception in 1998.
Next year’s finals in Morocco were initially designed to host 12 teams, but the new structure will now allow for a wider pool of participating nations. The change means an additional qualifying phase will likely be introduced, with 11 countries set to compete for the remaining four places in the final lineup.
WAFCON was an eight-team event from its inaugural edition until 2018 in Ghana. It was later expanded to 12 teams in 2022 after the 2020 competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament’s steady growth has mirrored CAF’s ongoing investment in women’s football.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe, speaking after the announcement, said the decision was part of the organisation’s commitment to raising the profile and economic viability of the women’s game on the continent.
“I am pleased with the progress we’ve made in women’s African football,” Motsepe said. “Part of my starting point is making sure both men and women are paid well and can make a career out of football. I can assure you women’s football will continue to improve because that is an area we are focusing on a lot.”
CAF’s investment has already produced visible results. The 2024 WAFCON in Morocco saw a 45 per cent increase in total prize money, rising to $3.45 million (£2.6 million). Nigeria’s Super Falcons, who defeated hosts Morocco 3–2 in the final, earned $1 million (£750,000) for clinching their record-extending 10th continental title.
