2025 WAFCON Qualifier: Coach Madugu names 21 players for two-legged clash against Benin Republic
Nigeria’s Super Falcons coach, Justin Madugu, has named 21 players to prosecute the Morocco 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier against Benin Republic.
The team list for the defending champions and record ten-time continental title holders, released on Friday, consists of three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders, and six forwards.
Notable among those called up are 2024 WAFCON Player of the Tournament, Rasheedat Ajibade, of Paris Saint-Germain, France, and Esther Okoronkwo of AFC Toronto, Canada.
Others include the reigning Women’s African Goalkeeper of the Year for two consecutive years, who plies her trade with Brighton & Hove Albion, England; defenders Michelle Alozie and Ashleigh Plumptre; midfielders Christy Ucheibe, Jennifer Echegini, and Deborah Abiodun; and forwards Asisat Oshoala, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Folashade Ijamilusi, as well as Mexico-based defender Osinachi Ohale.
The double-legged fixture is the final qualifying round, with the first leg scheduled for Stade Kégué, Lomé, Togo, on Saturday, October 25 while the return leg will be played at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
The Morocco 2025 WAFCON will also serve as Africa’s qualification route for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Full List:
Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)
Defenders:
Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca Club de Fútbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Al Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray SK, 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 Fútbol, Mexico); Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjørring 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)
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