Nigeria’s Tremendous Falcons return to motion right now within the 2026 Ladies’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers (WAFCONQ), aiming for a commanding consequence in opposition to Benin Republic within the first leg of their closing qualifying tie in Lomé, Togo.
The encounter will happen on the Stade de Kégué by 4 p.m. Nigerian time, with Nigeria looking for to determine an early benefit forward of Tuesday’s decisive second leg in Abeokuta.
At Thursday’s pre-match press convention, head coach Justin Madugu expressed confidence in his aspect’s readiness, emphasizing their dedication to make the return leg a mere formality.
“On Friday, we’ll exit and play our recreation, looking for targets that can put us in good stead forward of the return leg,” Madugu stated. “Now we have a group that can go on the market and make us proud.”
Madugu confirmed that 19 gamers can be found for the match and acknowledged that whereas accidents have dominated out some key names — together with midfielder Jennifer Echegini — the squad stays sturdy and motivated.
“Sure, we’d have cherished to have Jennifer and a few others, however we are able to solely pray for his or her fast restoration. The majority of our gamers have what it takes to ship,” he added.
The Tremendous Falcons, captained by Rasheedat Ajibade, retain a lot of the core from their WAFCON-winning squad and can look to mix expertise with youthful power in opposition to Benin’s Amazons. Nigeria usually are not solely defending champions but additionally essentially the most profitable group in Ladies’s AFCON historical past.
The upcoming WAFCON, to be hosted by Morocco in 2026, will function a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Ladies’s World Cup in Brazil, with all 4 semi-finalists incomes automated berths.
How one can Watch
Whereas there is no such thing as a confirmed tv broadcast for the match, followers can comply with the motion through dwell streaming on social platforms corresponding to Fb, YouTube, or NFF TV at 4 p.m. Nigerian time.
