By Charles Pemu 
The Nigerian national women’s team, the Super Falcons, are poised to secure their ticket to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) as they face the Amazons of Benin Republic in the decisive second-leg qualifier today. The match is scheduled for a 4:00 pm kickoff at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.
Coach Justine Madugu’s Super Falcons hold a comfortable 2-0 advantage following their impressive first-leg victory last Friday in Lome, Togo, where goals from Chinwendu Ihezuo and Esther Okoronkwo sealed the crucial away win.
Benin Coach Confident of Overturning Deficit
Despite the two-goal deficit, the Head Coach of the Benin Republic, Abdoulaye Ouzerou, remains optimistic about his young team’s chances of staging an upset. Ouzerou suggested that having analyzed the Super Falcons during the first encounter, his side is now better prepared.
“Having played Nigeria some days ago, we didn’t know the team well, but now we know the Falcons better,” Ouzerou stated. “We lost 2-0 at home, but it is not a scoreline that we cannot catch up with. We are going to play the game with all our strength, and we believe strongly that we can make it.”
The Amazons arrived in Abeokuta on Sunday and held their final training session on Monday, aiming for a historic qualification.
Super Falcons Determined to Defend Title
The Super Falcons, who won a record-extending tenth continental title in Morocco earlier this year, are determined to confirm their place at the 2026 tournament. The team held two extensive training sessions on Sunday and Monday to fine-tune their strategy and minimize any chance of a Benin comeback.
The match will be officiated by a team led by referee Dominique Rosa Hanjavola from Madagascar. Nigerian fans are expected to fill the MKO Abiola Sports Arena to support the Falcons in clinching their spot in Morocco.