The Super Falcons have booked their place at next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a 1–1 draw against Benin Republic on Tuesday, completing a 3–1 aggregate victory over the Amazons to secure qualification.
The return leg, played at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, saw the Falcons fail to replicate their dominant first-leg display in Cotonou, where they had triumphed 2–0.
Nevertheless, coach Justin Madugu, praised his players’ resilience while admitting that the performance fell short of expectations.
“It didn’t come as much of a surprise. We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Madugu said during the post-match press conference.
“I want to apologise to Nigerians for not meeting their expectations, sometimes, teams zave off days, today was one of those, the girls gave their best, and while the result wasn’t ideal, we are taking it as a wake-up call that there’s still a lot of work to do.”
The coach, who confirmed he has signed a two-year contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) running until October 2027, emphasised that the focus now shifts to preparing the team for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
“The last World Cup is behind us. Now, as African champions, every team wants to beat us. That means we must double our efforts and keep improving, It’s a new transition phase, and we’ll continue to test players, build depth, and refine our system before the next global tournament,” he said.
In her own post-match remarks, Captain Rasheedat Ajibade expressed pride qualification and acknowledging that the Super Falcons must maintain focus as stronger in her team’s challenges await.
She said: “We weren’t overconfident, we expected Benin to come all out, especially after how they played in the second half of the first leg, today wasn’t our best performance, but we’ll take the lessons and keep improving. We know our standards and must continue pushing ourselves.”
Ajibade, who recently received an individual honour at the Nigerian Pitch Awards, dedicated the recognition to her teammates, coaches, and fans.
“This award means a lot — not just to me, but to every young girl who dares to dream,” she said emotionally. “I dedicate it to my Super Falcons sisters, my club, the technical staff, and everyone who has supported my journey. To the next generation of girls watching — keep believing, keep working, your dreams are valid.”
For the Benin Republic, the result, though not enough for qualification, was historic. Their head coach, Abdullahi Husseinu, lauded his players’ fighting spirit, describing the draw as a morale booster.
“We came to Nigeria to win because we always compete to win,” Husseinu said. “Our players showed great character, especially in the second half. Most of them are very young — some are under-17 and under-20 — and this experience will make them stronger. The future is bright for Beninese women’s football.”
He added a personal touch, revealing his emotional connection to Nigeria, where he ended his professional playing career with Sunshine Stars a decade ago.
“Playing here brought back special memories for me,” he said tearfully. “Nigeria will always have a special place in my heart.”
With the qualification secured, the Super Falcons will now shift focus to preparations for both the 2026 WAFCON tournament and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as they continue to rebuild under Coach Madugu’s leadership and maintain their dominance as Africa’s most successful women’s football team.
