The squad, which includes team captain Rasheedat Ajibade and striker Esther Okoronkwo, consists of three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders, and six forwards.
Ajibade, who captained Nigeria to a record 10th WAFCON title in Morocco last year and was named Player of the Tournament, will once again lead the team. The Paris Saint-Germain forward will be joined by Okoronkwo, who plays for AFC Toronto.
Brighton’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year for two consecutive years, headlines the goalkeeping department.
Other familiar names include defenders Michelle Alozie and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Jennifer Echegini and Deborah Abiodun, and attackers Asisat Oshoala, Chinwendu Ihezuo, and Folashade Ijamilusi.
Experienced defender Osinachi Ohale from Mexico’s Pachuca Club and Benfica’s Christy Ucheibe are also part of the squad.
The tie against Benin Republic will determine which of the two West African nations qualifies for the 2026 WAFCON, to be hosted by Morocco.
The first leg will take place on Saturday, October 25, at the Stade Kegue in Lome, Togo, while the return leg is set for Tuesday, October 28, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The 2026 WAFCON will also serve as the African qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Nigeria are the reigning WAFCON champions, having defeated hosts Morocco in the 2024 final to claim their 10th continental crown.
Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons).
Defenders:
Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca 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); 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 Futbol, Mexico); Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjorring 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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