Nigeria’s preparations for their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier against Benin Republic have been hit by a major setback, with midfielder Jennifer Echegini ruled out through injury, The PUNCH reports.
Echegini, who scored the winning goal in Nigeria’s WAFCON final victory over Morocco earlier this year, sustained a hamstring injury during Paris Saint-Germain’s 1–0 league win over RC Strasbourg Alsace on Monday night.
The 24-year-old completed the full match but reported discomfort afterward. Subsequent scans confirmed she would not recover in time for the crucial two-legged qualifier.
Meanwhile, the Super Falcons camp in Lomé continued to grow on Tuesday ahead of Friday’s first leg at the Stade de Kégué.
Despite Echegini’s absence, team captain Rasheedat Ajibade — also of PSG — arrived late Tuesday night, alongside Mexico-based duo Osinachi Ohale (defender) and Chinwendu Ihezuo (striker).
Other arrivals include Michelle Alozie and Deborah Abiodun from the USA, Esther Okoronkwo from Canada, and Italy-based defender Shukurat Oladipo.
Earlier, Portugal-based midfielder Christy Ucheibe and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie checked in on Monday, bringing the camp tally to 11 players, before Saudi Arabia-based defender Ashley Plumptre joined on Tuesday afternoon.
Nigeria, 10-time African champions, will face Benin at the 25,000-capacity Stade de Kégué on Friday, with kick-off at 4 p.m. Nigerian time. The return leg is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta.
The aggregate winner will qualify for the 2026 Women’s AFCON in Morocco, which also serves as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
CAF has appointed Gambian referee Ngum Fatou to officiate the first leg, assisted by Mauritanians Mariem Chedad and Hamedine Houleye. Isatou Touray of Gambia will be the fourth official, with Niger’s Halimatou Hamidou as match commissioner and Malawi’s Martha Nyekanyeka as referee assessor.
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