The Nigerian Super Falcons, Africa’s powerhouse in women’s football, kicked off their campaign for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers with a solid 2-0 victory over the Benin Republic in the first leg held on Friday in Lomé, Togo.
Early goals from Chinwendu Ihezuo and Esther Okoronkwo in the opening half proved decisive, giving Nigeria a vital advantage as they aim to secure their spot in the prestigious continental tournament.
From the outset, the Super Falcons imposed a high tempo. In the 6th minute, Rasheedat Ajibade‘s delicate chip narrowly missed, hitting the crossbar. Shortly after, Folashade Ijamilusi tested the Beninese goalkeeper with a sharp effort, keeping the pressure relentless on the hosts.
The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Deborah Abiodun delivered a precise assist to Ihezuo, who calmly slotted the ball home to put Nigeria ahead. Despite dominating possession, Nigeria faced a scare in the 36th minute when Benin’s Moumouni broke free on the flank and unleashed a powerful shot, only to be denied by the alert Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Just before halftime, Nigeria doubled their lead. Abiodun once again played a key role, setting up Okoronkwo, who confidently finished to make it 2-0. Benin nearly responded immediately, but Moumouni’s effort struck the post, keeping the scoreline intact.
The second half saw tactical adjustments from both teams, resulting in fewer clear scoring opportunities. Benin increased their attacking intent, but Nigeria’s defense stood firm. In the final moments, a well-placed header from Sadikou was brilliantly saved by Nnadozie, preserving the clean sheet for the Super Falcons.
This commanding 2-0 win puts Nigeria in a strong position ahead of the return leg, set to take place on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta.
