Nigeria 1-1 Benin: ‘Better than Super Eagles’ - Nigerian fans reaction - WAFCON 2026

Nigeria's Super Falcons officially secured their place at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a hard-fought 3-1 aggregate victory over the Benin Republic Amazons. 

The ten-time African champions were held to a 1-1 draw in the second leg on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, a result that nonetheless confirmed their ticket to the continental finals to defend their title.

The Super Falcons, entering the return fixture with a solid 2-0 lead from the first leg in Lomé, started brightly. The home crowd was treated to an early goal when defender Ashleigh Plumptre scored her first international goal in the 12th minute, heading home a delivery from Esther Okoronkwo. This moment appeared to set the stage for a comfortable win.

However, the Beninese side, which featured ten overseas-based professionals, demonstrated remarkable resilience and matched Nigeria's intensity throughout the contest. 

Their efforts paid off late in the game, equalising in the 80th minute, just moments after Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade missed a gilt-edged chance to restore the two-goal advantage. 

The 1-1 draw was enough to secure qualification but highlighted the growing competitiveness of teams like the Amazons on the continental stage.

Despite the draw, Nigerian fans erupted online, celebrating the qualification while simultaneously drawing comparisons between the successful women's team and the men's national team, the Super Eagles. 

The sentiment largely positioned the Super Falcons as the new benchmark for Nigerian football excellence.

One viral comment declared: "You're >>>>> the Super Eagles. Nah for dem to just dey run gbola up and down for field dem sabi. Excluding Osimeh and Calvin Bassey."

The fan reaction goes beyond mere performance, acting as a clear rallying cry for better treatment and compensation for the women's team. 

Multiple comments pointedly criticised the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). One post stated, "Congratulations to the Super Falcons. @thenff enough of the marginalization. The super falcons deserve better treatment. Stop hiding the actions of 10times African champions." 

This highlights the recurring issue of disparity in resources and conditions between the men's and women's national teams, even as the Super Falcons have consistently delivered continental titles.

Another fan noted the continuous cycle of tournaments, saying, "Next tournament already started that quickly? This trophy no dey long for hand o," alluding to the team's relentless schedule and success rate.

The secured WAFCON 2026 slot maintains Nigeria's streak of never missing the continental tournament. The victory, however, amplified the pressure on the NFF, called out for corruption, to address long-standing issues concerning the team's welfare. 

The fans’ loud demands for equality will likely put the federation under renewed public scrutiny ahead of the major tournament. Tactically, the team must address lapses that allowed Benin to level the score, a crucial task given the increased competition at the WAFCON finals.

The Super Falcons have punched their ticket to WAFCON 2026, delivering the expected result. Their success has, once again, made them the pride of the nation, prompting an intense conversation among fans about the deserving support and recognition for the reigning African champions.