Photo Credit: File Photo / PUNCH / Super Falcons Head Coach Justin Madugu
WAFCON 2026: Madugu Worried Over Super Falcons’ Shaky Defence Ahead of Cameroon Clash
Super Falcons head coach, Justin Madugu, has raised concerns over his team’s defensive frailties at the ongoing 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The 10-time African champions, who will face rivals Cameroon in the quarter-finals on Sunday, have conceded five goals in three group games — three in a shock 3-2 loss to debutants Malawi and two in their 6-2 victory over Egypt.
Madugu, speaking after his side’s last group match, admitted the goals conceded were avoidable and said his technical crew will work to fix the lapses before the big clash.
“We have been a team that has been very solid defensively, but of recent we are conceding very unnecessary goals, which is something that is a bit worrisome,” Madugu said.
“The manner with which we are conceding those goals calls for serious concern, and it is something that we will have to address. We have to work more on ourselves, trying to ensure that we minimise the kind of mistakes that we make.”
On the quarter-final opponent Cameroon, Madugu said past friendly results will count for nothing. Nigeria and Cameroon had faced each other in a two-legged friendly before WAFCON, with each side winning a leg.
“We lost against them in the first leg, then we beat them in the second leg. So it’s not something that we will use to judge,” he added. “We know what it means, and we will be ready for it.”
Nigeria qualified as second-placed team from Group C after a dramatic finish that saw Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia all finish on six points. Malawi topped the group with four goals in the mini-table involving the three teams, Nigeria followed with three, while Zambia crashed out with two.
The Super Falcons will now battle Cameroon at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Sunday for a semi-final ticket and an automatic slot at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Source: Punch Newspaper –