Six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, was among the first arrivals at the Super Falcons’ training camp in Lomé, Togo, as the reigning African champions gear up for their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying clash against Benin Republic.
The team is set to begin full training sessions on Monday in the Togolese capital ahead of Friday’s first-leg encounter.
Oshoala was joined among the early arrivals by new call-up Joy Omewa, Turkey-based defender Tosin Demehin, China-based forward Folashade Ijamilusi, and a group of home-based players that includes goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi, defenders Blessing Ilivieda and Miracle Usani, midfielder Taiwo Afolabi, and forward Kafayat Mafisere.
Head Coach Justine Madugu confirmed that the squad will commence training on Monday afternoon in Lomé as preparations intensify for the clash against the Benin women’s national team at the 25,000-capacity Stade de Kégué. The fixture is scheduled for Friday afternoon, kicking off at 3 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Nigeria time).
The match marks the final qualifying round for the 2026 WAFCON, to be hosted by Morocco, which will also serve as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The return leg is slated for the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Gambian referee Ngum Fatou to officiate the encounter. She will be assisted by Mauritanians Mariem Chedad and Hamedine Houleye as assistant referees, with Gambian Isatou Touray serving as the fourth official. Halimatou Hamidou from Niger Republic will act as match commissioner, while Martha Nyekanyeka from Malawi takes up the role of referee assessor.
Super Falcons Squad
Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons).
Defenders:
Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, 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 Futbol, Mexico); Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjorring FC, Denmark); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens).
