Super Falcons Head Coach, Justine Madugu, has spoken ahead of the team’s friendly matches against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, stating his intention to give all players a chance to prove themselves while charging fans to rally behind the team as they aim to win their 10th WAFCON title.
The Falcons and the Lionesses will face off at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo on Saturday, 31st May, before a second confrontation at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta on Tuesday, 3rd June.
The Falcons will use the friendlies as part of their preparation for the 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), scheduled to hold in Morocco from July 5th to 26th. The team will play all their group stage matches at the Larbi Zaouli stadium, facing Tunisia, Botswana and Algeria on the 6th, 10th and 13th of July respectively.
Ahead of the friendly matches, Madugu provided an update on the team’s fitness, confirming that there are no significant injury concerns and all players are fit and ready.
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“Well, the team is good to go and currently we’re not experiencing any serious or major injuries that we can really have worries or concerns about for now. We don’t know what happens between now and the game day, but for now, all the girls are good to go.”
Madugu also spoke on the return of Al-Ittihad forward Francisca Ordega to the squad for the first time since 2023, noting that her experience is a valuable asset and her strong performances have rightfully earned her a spot back into the national team.
“Well, Francisca Ordega was even supposed to be in the game against France in the last camp. Unfortunately, she had a slight injury which made it impossible for her to be in camp.”
“Monitoring her performances in all the teams she has played for so far, more especially in Russia last year, she was among the top players in the league and was even the second, third highest goal scorer in the league.”
“Having transferred to Saudi, she has continued the good performances. And we feel with the experience she has gathered over the years and her current performances also in her clubs, I think she deserves to be given an opportunity to also come around and share some of these experiences with the younger players.”
“That’s why she’s here. I think she deserves to be given the opportunity and that’s why we have invited her to come.”
Madugu expressed his desire to give every player a chance to participate and gain experience from the matches.
“It’s our wish that we’re going to play two games and it’s our wish that all the players in camp should be given an opportunity at least to have a feel of the games.”
“We’ll see how it goes from the first match, but it’s our desire that all of them should have the opportunity of participating in the two games.”
The Head Coach called on Nigerians to rally behind the team in their pursuit of Mission X — the quest to win the WAFCON title for the 10th time.
“Concerning Mission X, I would urge, appeal or solicit that Nigerians should wish the team well, continue to pray for the team and keep supporting the team.”
“The Super Falcons have been one of the teams that Nigerians have taken to their hearts based on their accomplishments on the continent, even at the global level, they have not done reasonably bad. And that is why I feel we all are aware of the challenge before us and that’s what we are going out for, to ensure that the Mission X is also brought to fruition.”
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