Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu says his side is fully focused on sealing qualification for the quarterfinals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) when they take on Egypt in their decisive Group C encounter.
Nigeria must claim all three points to keep their knockout stage hopes alive after an inconsistent start to the tournament.
The nine-time African champions suffered a surprise 3-2 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi in their opening match before bouncing back with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zambia despite playing much of the game with 10 players.
The Group C standings remain finely balanced heading into the final round of matches.
Malawi lead with six points, Zambia and Nigeria both have three points, while Egypt are yet to earn a point, leaving every team with a chance of progressing.
Speaking ahead of the crucial fixture, Madugu said his technical crew has carefully assessed every qualification scenario but insisted the team’s priority is to secure victory and avoid relying on other results.
“We have looked at all the possible qualification scenarios and understand what we need to do.
“Our objective is to ensure our destiny remains in our own hands by winning the match,” Madugu said.
The coach expressed confidence in his players, revealing that the squad is in good spirits and fully aware of the importance of the encounter.
“The players are motivated and well prepared. Everyone understands what is at stake, and we are working hard to get the result that will take us into the next round of the competition,” he added.
Madugu also defended the inclusion of experienced forward Francisca Ordega, who is yet to feature in the tournament, explaining that every player contributes to the team’s success beyond what is seen on the pitch.
According to him, squad selection is based on the overall needs of the team rather than sentiment, stressing that experienced players provide valuable leadership and support even when they are not involved during matches.
He maintained that every decision taken by the coaching staff is aimed at helping the Super Falcons achieve success and make Nigerians proud.
