WAFCON (Q): Nigeria beat Benin in first leg

Nigeria moved a step towards qualifying for the 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Friday as they defeated the Amazons of Benin 2-0 in their second round, first leg match at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo.

The defending WAFCON champions were on the hunt to press their advantage from the blast of the whistle and their press paid off in the 24th minute when an upfield pass from Deborah Abiodun found Chinwendu Ihezuo, who lobbed the ball into the net to break the deadlock.

2025 CAF Women’s Player of the Year nominee, Esther Okoronkwo, then doubled the reigning champions’ lead as Abiodun handed yet another assist in the added time of the first half, leaving coach Justine Madugu’s side two goals up heading into the break.

The Super Falcons kicked off the second as they did the first half but couldn’t break down the Amazons, as both sides exchanged blows with none being able to find the back of the net.

The victory means that the ten-time African champions will head into the return leg is slated for the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta on Tuesday.