WAFCON 2026 Qualifiers: Benin Republic inch close to Super Falcons clash after first leg win over Sierra Leone

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Benin Republic edged Sierra Leone 2-1 in the first leg of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Qualifiers at the Stade de Kégué, Lomé, Togo.

A brace from Aude Gbedjissi lifted the host to a slim win in the first leg of the First Round clash.

Gbedjissi opened scoring in the 24th minute before Kadiatu Kamara equalised in the 36th minute.

She won the match in the 45th minute with her second goal of the game.

Benin Republic will take a goal advantage to the return leg on February 24, 2025.

The winner on aggregate will face nine time African champions, Nigeria in the Second Round for a chance to qualify for the WAFCON 2026.

WAFCON 2026 serves as qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.