AfriPulse
Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has warned his players to stay grounded as they prepare to face the Benin Republic in the first leg of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Lome.
Super Falcons, the defending champions, are favourites to win Friday’s game at the Stade de Kegue, but Madugu insists the Falcons cannot afford to underestimate their opponents.
“On the field of play, we can’t underrate anybody. Benin Republic are here because they defeated teams, so they deserve a lot of respect,” Madugu told reporters before the match.
“We are not looking at them as a lesser fancy team because it is not South Africa or Morocco. As far as we are concerned, they are reputable opponents.”
The Falcons, who arrived in Lome earlier in the week, are aiming to secure a convincing first-leg result before the return leg at the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta next Tuesday.
Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie also spoke with confidence ahead of the clash, assuring fans that the team is fully prepared for the task.
“The spirit is very high. From the day we knew we were going to face the Benin Republic, we’ve been communicating on how we can defeat them. We are mentally and physically prepared,” the Brighton shot-stopper said.
Kick-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. Nigerian time, as the Super Falcons look to take a crucial step toward defending their continental crown.
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