WAFCON qualifier: Nigeria open camp for Benin as ex-Arsenal star leads 8 Super Falcons to Lome

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have officially begun preparations for their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier against Benin Republic, opening camp in Lome, Togo, on Monday, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria, the reigning African champions, are housed at Hotel Sarakawa, with eight players already in camp as of Sunday night.

Early arrivals include former Arsenal and Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala, who leads Taiwo Afolabi, Folashade Ijamilusi, Miracle Usani, Joy Omewa, Anderline Mgbechi, Blessing Ilivieda, and Kafayat Mafisere to camp.

Camp mode: ON

The Super Falcons are arriving ahead of our Benin doubleheader.#SoarSuperFalcons #RoadTo11 pic.twitter.com/kcQawUOwk3

— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) October 20, 2025

Head coach Justin Madugu and his backroom staff expect the rest of the squad to arrive over the next few hours, with the first full training session scheduled for later today.

The Super Falcons will face Benin in a two-legged encounter; the first on Thursday, October 24, at the Stade Kégué in Lome, and the return leg on Tuesday, October 28, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.

Benin will ‘host' the opening leg in Togo due to the absence of a CAF-approved stadium at home. The Nigerian women’s team, ten-time continental champions, remain firm favourites to qualify for the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco, a tournament that will also serve as Africa’s qualifying route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

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Nigeria: Gift Monday misses out again

While the Falcons’ camp buzzes with high-profile names, one notable omission is Gift Monday, who has again been left out by Madugu despite her outstanding form in the U.S. National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

The Washington Spirit forward, who was also overlooked for July’s WAFCON, has scored eight goals this season. That tally ranks among the best in the league and ahead of several forwards named in Nigeria’s latest squad.

Despite her numbers, Madugu has chosen to persist with other attacking options.

Meanwhile, Monday's Washington Spirit teammate Deborah Abiodun has made the cut, joining a squad featuring six-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Michelle Alozie, and Ashleigh Plumptre.

Also returning to the team are Jennifer Echegini, Christy Ucheibe, and Chinwendu Ihezuo, as Nigeria chase an unprecedented 11th African title.

SUPER FALCONS SQUAD:

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

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); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); 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)