2026 WAFCON qualifying race: Madugu calls Ajibade, Nnadozie, 19 others for Benin clash
Days after Nigeria’s senior men’s national team, the Super Eagles, dashed Benin Republic’s dream of a first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance, the senior women’s team, the Super Falcons, are set to stop their counterparts from the same country from reaching the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Both West African neighbours will clash in a final qualifying fixture for the 2026 WAFCON, which will be hosted by Morocco and also serves as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil.
For the two-legged encounter, starting with the first leg at the Stade Kégué, Lomé (as Benin Republic does not have a CAF-approved venue), Nigeria’s head coach, Justin Madugu, has called up a total of 21 players, including three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders, and six forwards.
The list includes captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who was voted Player of the Tournament at this year’s Women’s AFCON in Morocco — which Nigeria won — and who scored for her new club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) of France, in their UEFA Women’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid on Thursday night. Also listed are goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie (Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year for two consecutive years), defender Michelle Alozie, Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Jennifer Echegini and Deborah Abiodun, as well as forwards Asisat Oshoala, Chinwendu Ihezuo, and Folashade Ijamilusi.
The return leg is scheduled for the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
Invited Players
Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)
Defenders:
Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca Club de Fútbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Al-Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray, 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 Club de Fútbol, Mexico); Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjørring FC, Denmark); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Hefeng, China); Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens)
