Madugu: ‘Super Falcons no dey under-rate Bénin Amazons for Lome’

Super Falcons coach, Justine Madugu, talk say him side get di materials to beat Benin Republic well well for di first leg of Morocco 2026 African Women’s Cup of Nations tie for Lome, Togo today, but e sabi say di game no go easy. Di Amazons go host Super Falcons for 25,000-capacity Stade de Kégué for Lomè, with Nigeria wey be Cup holders dey look for comfortable win wey go make di return leg for Naija on Tuesday jus formality. Na 19 players dey with di Nigerians for Togo because Jennifer Echegini no fit play due to injury, but Madugu talk say dat no go scare dem; him squad go give everything for di goals wey go help dem defend di title wey dem win for Morocco dis summer. Morocco go still host next year houseparty wey all semi-finalists go collect automatic ticket to 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals for Brazil.

Madugu yan, “We get team wey go make us proud. Yes, we for like make Jennifer dey, but she no dey, we fit only pray make she recover fast. On Friday, we go play our game and look for di goals wey go put us gidigba for di return leg.” With Echegini out, Madugu fit start US-based Deborah Abiodun, alongside captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Christy Ucheibe for midfield, with Chiamaka Nnadozie wey be one of di best goalkeepers for di world dey marshal di defence-line of Michelle Alozie, Tosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale and Ashley Plumptre. For attack, di coach get Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, six-time Africa Player of di Year Asisat Oshoala, new-face Joy Omewa, and China-based Folashade Ijamilusi. Gambian official Ngum Fatou go be referee for di match wey go start 3 p.m. Togo time (4 p.m. Naija time). Di Super Falcons squad for Togo get goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England) and Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); defenders Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico), Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy), Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA), Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia), Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens), Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey) and Miracle Usani (Abia Angels); midfielders Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint Germain, France), Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels), Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA) and Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); while attack na Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico), Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjorrin FC, Denmark), Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada), Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia), Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China) and Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens).