Gift Monday excluded, Joy Omewa called up. Justin Madugu Names 21-Woman Squad for WAFCON Qualifiers

Super Falcons head coach, Justin Madugu, has released a 21-player list ahead of Nigeria’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers against Benin Republic.

The two-legged encounters, scheduled for October 24 and 28, are decisive fixtures that will determine Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 Women's African Cup of Nations.

The squad features first-time call-ups for in-form Fortuna Hjorring forward Joy Omewa, Edo Queens attacker Kafayat Mafisere, and former Flamingoes captain Taiwo Afolabi, who currently plays for the Falconets.

Rivers Angels goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi also earns her maiden senior team call-up.

However there are notable omissions.

Washington Spirit striker Gift Monday was once again left out of the Super Falcons squad, after being surprising excluded from the WAFCON-winning squad in Morocco.

AS Roma's Rinsola Babajide is also out of the squad, after being sidelined due to injury, while Everton Women's Toni Payne also misses out.

The list includes 15 players from the WAFCON-winning team, alongside six new additions.

Full Super Falcons Squad for WAFCON Qualifiers

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha 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 (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjorrin 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.

The Super Falcons will face Benin Republic in Lome, Togo on October 24, before returning home for the second leg on October 28 at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta.