Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has expressed confidence in his team ahead of their highly anticipated Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) semifinal clash against South Africa on Tuesday, Bold Sports reports.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Monday, Madugu praised the team’s preparation and mental focus heading into the showdown, emphasising that the players are in top condition.
“The preparations are good, the girls have been very committed, determined, they are in good shape, they are well prepared,” he said.
The semifinal, scheduled to take place at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, will be the fifth consecutive game the Falcons are playing at the venue. So far, they have enjoyed a flawless run there — winning three games and drawing one — without conceding a single goal.
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“It’s a good thing that we are familiar with the environment and it places us at an advantage position, obviously, because we are used to the field now, having played four games here,” Madugu said.
“It places us at an advantage. But then, when it comes to football games these days, home advantage does not really count. You must work hard to earn whatever it is that you want out of the game.”
Madugu stressed that past success means little at this stage, referencing Nigeria’s Olympic qualifier triumph over South Africa, where the Falcons defeated Banyana Banyana at home and drew away.
“It does not mean that it is an automatic thing for us. We must work hard for the victory that we desire. We played them in the last qualifying games for the Olympics. We defeated them at home and had a draw in South Africa. But every game is different,” he noted.
“The Olympics qualifiers are quite different from this particular tournament. One thing is certain, they are South Africa and we are Nigeria. We all know what is at stake when it comes to games between these countries.”
“We know what rivalry means between us so we are not taking anything for granted. What has passed has passed. Tomorrow is the one that determines what happens. So we are fully ready towards that and we are set to go.”
He also recognised the strength of the South African team, who have not lost a match at the WAFCON since 2018. They won the title in 2022 and have recorded two wins and two draws in this year’s tournament.
“They have a very good team, for them to have won all their games getting to where they are today. Obviously we must appreciate and respect what they have done to get to where they are.”
“We cannot take them for granted. Football games can be very deceiving sometimes. You don’t judge teams based on what you see, particularly in their last game. Yes, they have played four games and we have seen all the games they have also played. But like I keep saying, every game comes with a change.”
“The approach might not be the same as why they played the way they played in all the games that they played. The prestige is equally there. It’s an extra motivation for everybody. So we are not looking at them as underdogs. They will be favourites as defending champions. They took the crown from us, we want to do the same.”
Madugu further spoke on the importance of team unity over individual brilliance, explaining that the Falcons’ strength lies in their collective effort.
“For us It’s a team sport and we try to build a team. We don’t build a team around an individual. We try to play as a team. So that whoever comes in knows what the team needs and can easily fit into what the team does.”
“It’s not about an individual. We are not too keen about establishing star players. Their performances will determine what people or how people assess them. But for us we try to build a team, a complete team, not building the team around any individual. So that in case that individual does not come to the party on the game day, then what happens?”
“The team runs into a problem and it becomes an issue. So we try as much as possible to make it a general team. Let’s play together as a team. So that even when one is out, whoever comes in fits in and the game continues the way we have strategised or we have planned to implement and execute.
On the deep rivalry between both teams, the head coach said: “It’s something that we all know. There are countries that when you play against in competitions across Africa, we know ourselves. We know how they’ll also approach the game irrespective of their results in all the previous games.”
“We know what mindset they will come into the game with and they equally know the mindset with which we are also coming into the game with because we all know ourselves. So, we will settle it on the field tomorrow.”
The Super Falcons have never gone two consecutive WAFCON tournaments without lifting the title, an impressive feat that Madugu is hopeful can continue: “I pray that trend continues. So, if the trend continues, automatically it means we are winning back the trophy this time around.”
“I have emphasised that we have come to play six games, not just six games, six games with six wins. We could still lose at the semi-final stage and play a third-placed match which still makes it six.”
“So, the one I am talking about has a difference. This six is with Ws and you know what the Ws mean. So, we are doing our best.”
Madugu admitted that there is pressure at this stage of the tournament, but insisted that the team is mentally ready to achieve their objectives.
“With every game there will always be pressure. The pressure of wanting to win, wanting to do well and the opposition also comes with some extra pressure depending on who you are also playing against.”
“So, we are managing ourselves well. We are taking note of all that and we are not allowing it to distract us or cause any unsettled between in any way. We want to remain focused. The girls are fully focused and we all know what is at stake and we know what to do. And we are trying our best to make sure that we make our countrymen happy.”
Looking ahead to the highly anticipated clash, Madugu expressed confidence in his team’s ability to end South Africa’s long-standing WAFCON unbeaten run in regulation time.
“Yes, South Africa have not lost a game within regulation time since 2018. But records are meant to be broken. No matter how long it takes, one day it will be broken. And we are hoping that by tomorrow, by the grace of God, that record will no longer exist.”
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