By SCM Staff Writer I Friday, Oct.24, 2025
LOME, Togo – THE reigning African champions, Nigeria’s Super Falcons, put one foot firmly in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a solid 2-0 victory over Benin Republic in their qualifier first leg.
Forwards Chinwendu Ihezuo and Esther Okoronkwo grabbed the all-important goals in the first half to give the Nigerians a comfortable cushion heading into the return fixture.
Playing their ‘away’ leg in Lome, Togo, the Super Falcons came out firing on all cylinders.
Rasheedat Ajibade rattled the woodwork with a clever lob over Benin ‘keeper Ogoun just six minutes in, followed swiftly by a sharp save from Ogoun to deny Folashade Ijamilusi.
The relentless pressure paid off when midfielder Deborah Abiodun sliced open the congested Benin low block, sending Ihezuo through to fire home the opener in the 23rd minute.
Nigeria’s dominance was briefly broken just before the half-hour mark, with the Amazons’ Moumouni forcing a save from Super Falcons goalie Chiamaka Nnadozie.
But Abiodun was on fire! She once again provided the magic with a brilliant, defence-splitting pass that found Okoronkwo, who slotted home to double the lead just before the break.
The Falcons were lucky not to concede as the half closed, with Moumouni rattling the post, but the two-goal advantage stood at the whistle.
The second half proved to be a tighter affair as both sides made tactical adjustments, but Nigeria’s experience shone through, soaking up pressure from the Amazons’ high-intensity wingers.
Nnadozie was called into action late on, denying Sadikou a headed goal in the 90th minute to keep a clean sheet.
The 2-0 scoreline sets Nigeria up perfectly for the return leg, which will take place on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta.
