Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu has said the team will do everything to be in control of their destiny at the 2026 WAFCON as they face Egypt in their final group game, which will determine if they advance to the quarter-finals.
The 10-time champions have experienced a shaky start, losing their first game 3-2 against Malawi before securing a hard-fought 1-0 win over Zambia with 10 players.
Still on three points and trailing Malawi, who have six, the Falcons must beat Egypt convincingly, with the hope that the result in the other game between Zambia and Malawi also favours them.
Like the Falcons, Zambia need to beat Malawi to stand a chance of progressing, but Madugu is confident Nigeria will get the job done regardless of the result in the other game.
“We have done all the various permutations and we know exactly which of the permutations will take us through. We want to have our fate in our hands and we are going straight for what will take us through,” the coach said during the pre-match presser.
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Madugu, who led the team to their 10th WAFCON title last year, has come under scrutiny following the shock defeat to the debutants, with questions raised over his team selection, tactics and decision to play some players out of position.
The coach responded with several changes for Saturday’s crucial 1-0 win over Zambia, including restoring Asisat Oshoala, Deborah Abiodun and Christy Ucheibe to the starting line-up.
Shukurat Oladipo, who had initially been dropped to the bench, also came on during the game and put in an impressive shift, while Rofiat Imuran was handed a starting role.
The coach will now hope to lead the Falcons to a successful title defence and an 11th continental crown, while also securing qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Last year, Madugu was nominated among the best coaches in the world for the Ballon d’Or.
Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years
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Source: The Punch
