By 
Eniola Olatunji reporting 

Most decorated African women’s football champions, The Super Falcons on Tuesday evening were forced to a 1-1 draw in a keenly contested Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier played at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta in Ogun State. 

Ace defender, Ashleigh Plumptre fondly called Oyinbo among Nigerian football fans jumped so high to nod in the curtain raiser off a lob into the penalty box by unstoppable Bull, Esther Okoronkwo in the 12th minute for her first goal ever since playing for Nigeria from 2022.

The Amazons of Benin fought like Trojans and a set piece from the left flank of Nigeria’s post bounced off V. Djibril in the 62nd minute for an equalizer.

Nigeria thus went on thorough pass to qualify with 3-1 goals aggregate having won the first leg played at Lome, Togo 2-0. Nigeria looks poised to clinch her 11th title at the African greatest women football fiesta for which veteran reporters wondered how Nigeria could still dominate Africa so easily unlike their male counterparts. 

I remember being lead Radio Commentator for the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation OGBC when Nigeria lifted her first trophy at the same stadium in 1998 with Prince Toyin Gbadebo as OB Manager; Peter Okodua was co-Commentator and Diji Akinhanmi was lead stringer; big brother Demola Odebiyi was the OB Engineer unfortunately I could not savor the joy of the memorial because all my fellows 27 years ago are late now.  

Earlier on Tuesday Morning the entire Super Falcons team that relished fans support and great geographical features of Abeokuta paid a courtesy call on the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who gifted them with N50m to “buy robo, kokoro and Adire clothes” which were food delicacies of Egba people who are wildly known for producing quality Adire fabrics patronized globally. 

Both Nigeria and Benin senior women’s team met only once in a friendly match played on 15th December 2018 and Nigeria plucked the Benin women by a lone goal.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons, ranked 36 in the world is Africa’s most decorated team appearing at WAFCON finals 12 times and winning the title a stunning ten times in 1998; 2000; 2002; 2004; 2006; 2010 ; 2014; 2016 ; 2018 and 2024 therefore appearing as defending champions of the title in Africa.

The Amazons of Benin Republic ranked 144 in the world has never qualified to appear at the mundial.

The 16th WAFCON finals will take place in Morocco from 17th March to 3rd April 2026 among 12 nations.