Tag: Justine Madugu

Head Coach Justine Madugu has affirmed that champions Nigeria expect a tough game against the Amazons of Bénin Republic in Abeokuta on Tuesday and will take nothing for granted against their less-adulated neighbours to the west.

The 10-time champions are in control of the fixture after a 2-0 win in the first leg away from home, courtesy goals by Chinwendu Ihezuo and Esther Okoronkwo, but the gaffer is wary the Amazons could storm the Ogun State capital better prepared than they were in the first leg at the Stade Kégué in Lome on Friday.

 “We are looking forward to a tough game from the Beninoise, but we will be ready for that by putting up a good performance with the ultimate goal of qualification to the 2026 Women AFCON, where we hope to retain our title and further qualify for the World Cup in Brazil in 2027.

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 “The Amazons with about 10 professional players from Germany, Morocco, France and Equatorial Guinea gave a good account of themselves in the first leg, to underscore the fact that underrating any team now in Africa could be at your own peril. We are not taking anything for granted or leaving anything to chance. We will be ready to go all out for victory.”

The Super Falcons will most likely parade the same squad as featured in the first leg in the Togolese capital three days ago, with goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal and Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, Tosin Demehin and Ashley Plumptre as rear-guard, while captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Deborah Abiodun and Taiwo Afolabi take hold of the midfield. Ihezuo, Okoronkwo and Folashade Ijamilusi should be at the fore, though Madugu also has the options of six-time Africa Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, Joy Omewa and Kafayat Mafisere.

The encounter at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta will kick off at 4pm, with the winner on aggregate earning a ticket to the 14th Women Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Morocco, 17^th  March – 3^rd  April 2026.

Head coach of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Justine Madugu, has been nominated for the 2025 Women’s Team Coach of the Year award, a category under the prestigious Ballon d’Or honors presented by France Football. 

The nomination was announced on Wednesday ahead of the official award ceremony scheduled to take place in Paris on September 22, 2025.

Madugu’s nomination came on the heels of his outstanding achievement with the Super Falcons, whom he led to a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco earlier this year. 

Under his leadership, Nigeria displayed tactical discipline, resilience, and attacking flair throughout the tournament, culminating in a dramatic comeback victory in the final against hosts Morocco.

His coaching acumen also earned him the Best Coach of the Tournament award at WAFCON 2024, further cementing his reputation as one of Africa’s top football minds. 

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The 61-year-old, who previously managed Nigeria’s U20 women’s team, has been widely praised for promoting homegrown talent and instilling a renewed sense of unity and purpose within the squad.

Madugu is shortlisted alongside some of the world’s best coaches including England’s Sarina Wiegman, Chelsea’s Sonia Bompastor, Brazil’s Arthur Elias, and Arsenal Women’s Renée Slegers. 

The winner of the Women’s Team Coach of the Year award will be announced at the Ballon d’Or ceremony next month in the French capital.

Head Coach Justine Madugu assured  that Nigeria’s Super Falcons  are mentally, psychologically and tactically ready to confront Zambia’s Copper Queens in Friday’s potentially-explosive Women Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final encounter in Casablanca.

Nine-time champions Nigeria and emerging power Zambia clash at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium from 5pm Morocco time (same as in Nigeria) in a match that promises a lot of firecrackers, and could have extensive ramifications for the architecture of authority of African women football.  

“We are working on our strategies offensively and defensively, having watched Zambia play and having taken note of their strengths and weaknesses individually and collectively. We know the key players of Zambia that are being mentioned and the threats they can pose if they are given opportunities, so we have spoken to the players that they must be fully-ready.

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 “There will be no room for errors. We must be alert at all times and have self-belief and confidence, and be motivated to achieve victory as we get close to the accomplishment of Mission X. “

Victory in  today’s will steer the Super Falcons closer to a 10th continental title since the Women Africa Cup of Nations was launched as the African Women Championship in 1998, and re-establish the Nigerian girls as the team to beat anytime women national team football is mentioned on the continent.

The winner of the match between Nigeria and Zambia will progress to the semi -finals to confront the winner of the encounter between Cup holders South Africa and Senegal. On the other side of the draw are the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco (who are also ambitious, dedicated, well-organized and fearless) and the never-to-be-underrated Lady Fennecs of Algeria.

Head Coach Justine Madugu insisted on Monday that Nigeria’s Super Falcons must continue to improve in several areas, despite an emphatic 3-1 win over Ghana’s Black Queens in a friendly in Casablanca on Sunday evening.

Goals by Mexico-based Chinwendu Ihezuo, Asisat Oshoala and captain Rasheedat Ajibade affirmed the Falcons’ supremacy over the Queens, at a closed-door game played at the Ziaida Palace Benslimane field.

 “The match gave us the opportunity of having the full squad together to really assess our strength as a team, and build on team cohesion, coordination and on various combinations.

 “It will always be work in progress, but we are very focused on our realisable and achievable target of Mission X. The girls are ready and are showing real hunger for victory and team spirit is high. We are looking forward to our first match on Sunday against Tunisia.”

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The victory over Ghana’s Black Queens extended Madugu’s stellar record with the Super Falcons. He was in charge when the Falcons easily surged past Ethiopia in the qualifying race for the 2024 Olympics, and also led the team to crush Cape Verde to secure qualification for the 13^th  Women AFCON, which kicks off on Saturday.

Last year, Madugu led the Falcons to rout Algeria’s senior girls in two friendly matches in Ikenne and Lagos, and restricted France to an odd-goal victory in another friendly match in France in November.

This year, Madugu has led the Super Falcons to a 2-0 win over Cameroon in a friendly game in Cameroon, and on Monday last week, picked a team that fought hard against Portugal in a 0-0 draw in Lisbon.

“We will continue to work on our weak areas, and I believe that by the time of our first match, we will be ready,” Madugu added.

Head Coach Justine Madugu  has said  that  the Super Falcons will entertain no hold-backs when they take on Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses in two friendly matches at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo  tomorrow and at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta on Tuesday.

“Our objectives for these two matches include improving our game philosophy and tactical approach. We want to observe and assess the players in line with our philosophy. We are determined to improve the team’s coordination, team spirit and mentality towards winning the Women AFCON.

 “Yes, these are friendly matches but we must approach things with the right mentality, with the attitude that we want to win, and with the mind-set that we are already at the championship. It will not be right for us to treat the games with kid’s gloves and earn results that will have an untoward psychological effect on the team going to Morocco.”

Madugu insists that the players understand the nature and size of the rivalry between Nigeria and Cameroon on the field of play, and will approach the games with the seriousness they deserve.

 “We must ensure a positive mentality and keep to the game plan. It is important for us to use the games to underscore our preparedness for the Women AFCON.”

The Falcons and the Lionesses are no strangers to one another. Most recently, the Falcons won a penultimate qualifying fixture for last year’s Olympics 1-0 on aggregate, courtesy of Esther Okoronkwo’s barnstorming effort at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja in the return leg.

The win sent the nine-time champions to the final qualifying round, where they faced South Africa’s Banyana Banyana. That fixture was also settled by the odd goal – Rasheedat Ajibade’s penalty kick in Abuja.

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That feat qualified the Falcons for their first appearance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in 16 years.

When Cameroon hosted the Women Africa Cup of Nations nine years ago, the Falcons were there to deny them glory in the final, with Desire Oparanozie scoring a late goal to crown Nigeria for the eighth time.

Madugu has invited an interesting blend of the old and the new, home girls and those plying their trade abroad, with captain Ajibade, multiple award-winning goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Osinachi Ohale, midfielder Christy Ucheibe and forwards Toni Payne and Francisca Ordega the old and wise heads that the younger ones can learn so much from.  

The Super Falcons will be up against Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana in group B of the 13^th  Women AFCON in Morocco.    

SUPER FALCONS FOR LIONESSES’ CHALLENGE:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens); Morufa Ademola (Edo Queens)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lionesses, England); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens)

Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Josephine Mathias (Nasarawa Amazons); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Amarachi Odoma (Edo Queens)

Forwards: Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia); Olamide Bolaji (Remo Stars Ladies); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Emem Essien (Edo Queens)