Nigeria's formidable Super Falcons have successfully secured their place at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), continuing their remarkable streak of qualifying for every tournament since its inception. The ten-time African champions overcame a resilient Benin Republic side, the Amazons, with a 3-1 aggregate victory in their two-legged qualifier.

The journey to qualification began with a comfortable 2-0 win in the first leg held in Lome, Togo. Goals from Esther Okoronkwo and Chinwendu Ihezuo provided the Super Falcons with a significant advantage heading into the return fixture.

The decisive second leg took place at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, where the Super Falcons were held to a hard-fought 1-1 draw. Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, Nigeria took an early lead in the 12th minute through defender Ashleigh Plumptre. Connecting with an inch-perfect corner delivery from Esther Okoronkwo, Plumptre headed home her first-ever international goal for Nigeria, drawing enthusiastic cheers from the fans and capping a dominant start.

Despite Nigeria's early breakthrough and continued composure in possession, Benin's Amazons, bolstered by ten overseas-based professionals, displayed admirable discipline and a spirited fight. They refused to be intimidated, matching the home side's intensity throughout the match. Their persistence was rewarded in the 61st minute when Yasminath Djibril curled in a brilliant free-kick past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, leveling the score at 1-1. This stunning equalizer served as a testament to the strides the smaller West African nation continues to make in women's football.

Although Nigeria's captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, missed a significant opportunity to extend her team's lead earlier, the equalizer did little to change the overall outcome. With the two-goal advantage from the first leg firmly in hand, the Super Falcons maintained control of the tie and calmly saw out the remaining minutes, securing their spot at Morocco 2026.

This qualification underscores the Super Falcons' enduring legacy in African women's football. They hold the unparalleled record of participating in every WAFCON tournament and have never failed to reach at least the semi-finals, winning ten titles in the process. With this victory, Nigeria joins hosts Morocco as the first teams to officially book their places at next year's prestigious continental finals.