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Gift Monday Snubbed, Joy Omewa Earns Maiden Super Falcons Call-Up as Nigeria Unveil Squad for WAFCON Qualifiers
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Fortuna Hjorring forward Joy Omewa has received her first-ever call-up to the Nigeria senior women’s national team, while Washington Spirit forward Gift Monday was overlooked ahead of this month’s 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers against Benin Republic.
Head coach Justine Madugu handed the 22-year-old striker her debut invitation following a string of brilliant performances for the Danish champions across league and European competitions.
Omewa, who began her career with Confluence Queens, has developed into one of Fortuna’s most reliable scorers since joining the club five seasons ago. She finished as top scorer in the 2024/25 Danish league, notching 22 goals and four assists to help her side to the title.
Her hot streak has continued into the current campaign, where she has scored eight goals and provided one assist in nine league outings — 14 goals in total from 13 appearances in all competitions — including the decisive winner that sealed Fortuna’s progression in the 2025/26 UEFA Women’s Europa Cup.
Her inclusion comes as a direct replacement for retired forward Ifeoma Onumonu, as coach Madugu reshapes his attacking options for the new qualification phase.
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Days after the Super Eagles ended Benin Republic’s hopes of reaching their first-ever FIFA World Cup, the Super Falcons are set to do the same by blocking the Beninoise women’s dream of a maiden WAFCON appearance.
Both West African neighbours will clash in the final qualifying round, with the first leg taking place at the Stade Kegue in Lomé, Togo, on Friday, the twenty-fourth of October, and the return leg scheduled for the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta, on Tuesday, the twenty-eighth of October, 2025.
Ten-time African champions Nigeria remain overwhelming favourites, and Madugu has named a 21-player squad blending star quality, new faces, and notable returnees.
Leading the list is captain Rasheedat Ajibade, the Player of the Tournament at the 2024 WAFCON, who continues to shine for Paris Saint-Germain, having scored in Thursday’s UEFA Women’s Champions League tie against Real Madrid.
Also on the roster are Chiamaka Nnadozie, Africa’s two-time Goalkeeper of the Year, defenders Michelle Alozie and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Jennifer Echegini and Deborah Abiodun, and forwards Asisat Oshoala, Chinwendu Ihezuo, and Folashade Ijamilusi.
The squad also welcomes a quartet of key returnees — Kafayat Mafisere, Taiwo Afolabi, Blessing Ilivieda, and Anderline Mgbechi — all of whom impressed for their clubs to earn recalls to the national setup.
Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi has been left out, as Madugu prioritizes youth and long-term rebuilding toward the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco — which doubles as the African qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
With experienced pillars like Osinachi Ohale, Christy Ucheibe, and Esther Okoronkwo complementing the emerging stars, the Falcons appear well-balanced for another commanding qualification campaign.
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Super Falcons Squad for WAFCON Qualifying Fixture vs Benin Republic
Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)
Defenders:
Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca CF, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Al Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray, 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 (Pachuca CF, Mexico); Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjorring, Denmark); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens)
