The Super Falcons have suffered a significant setback, as star midfielder Jennifer Echegini, hero of Nigeria’s 2024 WAFCON triumph, has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Echegini, who scored the decisive goal in Nigeria’s title-winning victory over hosts Morocco, sustained the injury while playing for her French club Paris Saint-Germain on Monday night.
The 23-year-old will miss both legs of Nigeria’s final qualifying round for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the first leg scheduled for Friday at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo, and the return leg on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
Despite the blow, Nigeria’s head coach Justine Madugu remains optimistic, insisting the squad has enough quality and depth to overcome the absence of one of its brightest stars.
Super Falcons Camp Swells with Key Arrivals
The Nigerian camp in Lomé continues to take shape, with captain Rasheedat Ajibade of PSG expected to arrive on Tuesday night alongside Mexico-based duo Osinachi Ohale and Chinwendu Ihezuo.
Also joining are USA-based stars Michelle Alozie and Deborah Abiodun, Canada’s Esther Okoronkwo, and Italy-based defender Shukurat Oladipo.
By Monday night, the camp had grown from nine to eleven players following the arrivals of Portugal-based midfielder Christy Ucheibe and Paris FC goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
The squad received another boost on Tuesday afternoon with the arrival of Saudi Arabia-based defender Ashley Plumptre, who last featured for Nigeria in the Olympic qualifiers earlier this year.
Team officials confirmed that all other invited players are expected to join before Wednesday evening’s full training session as preparations intensify for the crucial first leg.
Nigeria Eye 15th Straight WAFCON Appearance
The ten-time African champions are chasing qualification for their 15th consecutive Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament they have dominated since inception.
The Super Falcons clinched their record-extending 10th continental crown in 2024 after defeating hosts Morocco 3–2 in a thrilling final in Rabat.
Nigeria will face Benin Republic in the first leg on Friday, October 24, at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, with kickoff set for 4:00 p.m. local time, before returning home for the second leg on Tuesday, October 28, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
Victory across both legs will see Nigeria book their ticket to Morocco 2026, continuing their legacy as Africa’s most dominant force in women’s football.
