Nigeria head coach Justine Madugu sets dual ambition of retaining the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations crown and securing 2027 World Cup qualification

Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu, speaking in Nigeria on 1 July 2026, has outlined an ambitious competitive plan for the team ahead of the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, reaffirming his commitment to a Madugu WAFCON title defence while targeting qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

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Madugu’s comments come as Nigeria prepare to defend the continental title they won at the 2024 edition in Morocco, where the Super Falcons staged a dramatic comeback in the final to defeat the host nation 3-2, securing a record-extending 10th WAFCON crown.

Reflecting on that triumph, Madugu described the achievement as a reminder of the team’s resilience but insisted that expectations have now shifted significantly.

“The next WAFCON will also serve as qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, so our priority will first be to ensure that we make it to the World Cup. The second goal will be to defend the trophy and bring it back to Nigeria,” Madugu said.

The coach acknowledged the growing pressure on Nigeria as reigning champions, noting that every opponent will now approach matches against the Super Falcons with heightened intensity.

“We know it won’t be easy because, as champions, everybody will now be looking at us. We are holding something precious that everybody wants, but we will remain resolute and focused,” he added.

The Madugu WAFCON title defence ambition is being shaped by recent preparatory matches, including a two-game friendly series against Senegal, which provided the coaching staff with further assessment of squad depth and tactical balance.

Despite Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football, Madugu admitted that the team is still a work in progress and highlighted the importance of continuous improvement.

“We are not a perfect team yet. We have made a lot of observations… there is always room for improvement and we will continue striving to make the team better,” he said.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group C of the tournament alongside Zambia, Egypt and debutants Malawi, setting up a competitive group stage that will test the Super Falcons’ consistency early in the competition.

Madugu is expected to announce his final squad in the coming days as preparations intensify for the tournament, which runs from 25 July to 16 August 2026 in Morocco.

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Attention will now turn to whether Nigeria can maintain their continental dominance while balancing the added pressure of World Cup qualification, a challenge that will define the success of the Madugu WAFCON title defence campaign.