Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu says Nigeria will chase a commanding victory over Benin’s Amazons when both sides meet on Friday in Lomé, despite being without influential PSG midfielder Jennifer Echegini, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 10-time African champions travel to the Togolese capital for the first leg of their final qualifying tie for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Echegini, who scored the decisive goal in Nigeria’s thrilling 3–2 comeback win over Morocco in the 2024 final, has been ruled out after picking up an injury in PSG’s league game earlier this week.
Madugu confirmed he has 19 players in camp and remains confident of securing a comfortable result that will make Tuesday’s return leg in Nigeria a mere formality.
“We have a team that will go out there and make us proud,” Madugu told the NFF Media. “Yes, we would have loved to have Jennifer (Echegini), but we do not, and we can only pray for her to recover quickly.”
The coach added that his side would not hold back.
“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.”
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Super Falcons ready to attack as Madugu plots tactical balance
Nigeria’s match at the 25,000-capacity Stade de Kégué is their first outing since lifting their tenth continental crown in Morocco.
Against Benin, not only is WAFCON qualification on the line, but the tournament’s semi-finalists will also book automatic tickets to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
With Echegini sidelined, Madugu is expected to hand a starting role to US-based Deborah Abiodun, partnering captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Christy Ucheibe in midfield. The defensive line, led by world-class goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, should include Michelle Alozie, Tosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale, and Ashley Plumptre.
In attack, Nigeria will rely on former Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala, who remains the team’s heartbeat and a six-time African Player of the Year. She could be flanked by Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, or China-based Folashade Ijamilusi — all of whom impressed in the Falcons’ title-winning run in Morocco.
Newly invited Joy Omewa is also in camp and the free-scoring Denmark-based striker will also be keen to make her Falcons debut.
Madugu’s clear target is a decisive win as a dominant first-leg performance would ease pressure on the second leg. Gambian referee Ngum Fatou will take charge of the fixture, which kicks off at 3pm local time (4pm Nigeria time).
SUPER FALCONS TO FACE AMAZONS:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, 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); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)
Forwards: Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjorrin 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)
