Head coach of the Benin Republic women’s national team, Abdoulaye Ouzerou, says his side now has a clearer understanding of the Super Falcons and stands a stronger chance of overturning their first-leg defeat to Nigeria in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier.

The Amazons of Benin will face Nigeria in the second leg of the second-round fixture today (Tuesday) at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The Super Falcons, led by Coach Justin Madugu, secured a 2–0 victory in the first leg played last Friday in Lome, Togo, with goals from Chinwendu Ihezuo and Esther Okoronkwo, both assisted by midfielder Deborah Abiodun.

Despite the setback, Ouzerou remains upbeat about his team’s chances, insisting that the Amazons have learned from their mistakes in the first encounter.

“Having played Nigeria some days ago, we didn’t know the team well, but now we know the Falcons better,” Ouzerou said during a pre-match interview in Abeokuta.
“On Tuesday, we will play with all our chances. If we have just one chance, we will play it all out. We have a very young team, and we are coming to try our best.”

The coach added that the team is ready to give everything on the pitch in a bid to secure qualification.

“We lost 2–0 at home, but it is not a scoreline we cannot catch up with. We are going to play the game with all our strength, and we believe strongly that we can make it,” he said.

The Amazons arrived in Abeokuta on Sunday and held a light training session on Monday in preparation for the crucial match.

Meanwhile, the Super Falcons also had two intensive sessions ahead of today’s game as they aim to book a place in Morocco 2026 and defend their continental crown.

The Nigerian side are the most successful team in the tournament’s history, having won a record 10 WAFCON titles, the most recent in Morocco in July 2024, where they staged a dramatic comeback from two goals down to defeat the hosts 3–2 in the final.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Dominique Rosa Hanjavola from Madagascar as the centre referee for today’s clash. She will be assisted by Claris Simango (Zimbabwe) and Hasimbola Rasoloniaina (Madagascar), with Grace Gimo (Zimbabwe) as the fourth official.

Christine Ziga from Ghana will serve as the match commissioner, while Ndeye Fatou Seye of Senegal has been designated as the referee assessor.

Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta.