Nigeria’s Tremendous Falcons are set to start their quest for qualification to the 2026 Ladies’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a vital first-leg conflict in opposition to Benin Republic on Friday on the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo.
Head coach Justin Madugu has exuded confidence forward of the encounter, assuring followers that his staff has the standard, mentality, and depth to safe a commanding outcome and hold Nigeria’s excellent qualification document intact.
“We’ll exit and play our recreation and search the targets that may put us in stead forward of the return leg,” Madugu instructed NFF Media, emphasizing that the staff’s focus stays on getting the job finished professionally.
Nigeria — 10-time champions and document winners of the Ladies’s AFCON — have by no means missed an version of the continental showpiece and might be seeking to not solely guide their place in Morocco 2026 but additionally lengthen their dominance by searching an eleventh title.
The Falcons will, nevertheless, be with out dynamic midfielder Jennifer Echegini, who was dominated out with a hamstring harm. Regardless of her absence, Madugu insists the squad stays robust sufficient to ship.
“Sure, we might have cherished to have Jennifer, however we don’t. We are able to solely pray for her fast restoration. We’ve got a staff that may go on the market and make us proud,” he said.
Nigeria’s frontline stays stacked with attacking powerhouses equivalent to Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, Esther Okworonkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, and Folashade Ijamilusi, alongside the thrilling new call-up, Pleasure Omewa, who might make her mark on debut.
With kickoff slated for 4 PM Nigerian time, the Tremendous Falcons will look to claim their dominance early, utilizing their wealth of expertise and firepower to set the tone for what might be one other profitable WAFCON marketing campaign.
For Madugu and his staff, the message is evident — Nigeria’s reign on the high of African ladies’s soccer should proceed.
