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The Super Falcons of Nigeria are set to take on the Amazons of Benin Republic in the first leg of their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final qualifying fixture, on Friday at the 25,000-capacity Stade de Kégué in the Togolese capital, Lomè.
Head Coach Justine Madugu has a total of 19 players available for the encounter and has promised that his squad will go all out for the goals that will earn them the ticket to the defence of their title won in Morocco this summer.
The Kingdom of Morocco will also host next year’s tournament, where all semi-finalists will collect automatic qualification tickets to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil.
“We have a team that will go out there and make us proud. Yes, we would have loved to have Jennifer (Echegini) but we do not and we can only pray for her to recover quickly,” Madugu said.
“On Friday, we will go out and play our game and seek the goals that will put us in a good stead ahead of the return leg.”
With Echegini out, Madugu is likely to opt for US-based impresario Deborah Abiodun to start, alongside captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Christy Ucheibe in the middle, with Chiamaka Nnadozie marshalling a defence-line of Michelle Alozie, Tosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale and Ashley Plumptre.
Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, six-time Africa Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, new-face Joy Omewa and China-based Folashade Ijamilusi, are also set to feature.
Cup holders, the Super Falcons, will be seeking a comfortable win that will render the return leg in Nigeria on Tuesday a mere formality.
Gambian official Ngum Fatou will be the referee of the encounter that begins at 4pm (WAT).
NFF.