Ashleigh Plumptre (far right) scores her first goal for the Super Falcons in the 1-1 draw against Benin Republic | Photo Credit: Sulaiman Adebayo Pooja
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have qualified for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The team defeated Benin Republic 3-1 on aggregate to secure the chance to defend their continental crown.
Nigeria defeated their opponents 2-0 in the first leg of the tie, held at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo, last week.
The Falcons then wrapped up the encounter with a rather unimpressive 1-1 draw in the return leg at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on Tuesday.
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Nigeria took the lead in the 12th minute, and the team looked set to repeat their dominant performance in the second leg.
Esther’s long corner-kick delivery sailed over everyone else and found Ashleigh Plumptre at the far end of the goal area. The defender’s thumping header redirected the ball back the way it came and into the net.
The strike was Plumptre’s first goal for the Super Falcons since switching allegiance from England in 2021.
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Benin equalised later in the second half, but it was too little, too late for them.
The 2026 WAFCON is scheduled for March 17 through April 3. The tournament will also double as the qualifier for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
The top four teams in the competition will qualify for the World Cup in Brazil, while two additional teams will have the chance to join them through the inter-confederation playoffs.
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