Super Falcons coach Justin Madugu has made it clear that Nigeria's goal at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is simple: defend their title and qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The defending champions will kick off their title defense against Malawi, who are newcomers to the tournament, on Tuesday at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat. Madugu says his team is ready for the challenge ahead.
Nigeria enters the tournament as the record 10-time African champions and favorites to win an 11th WAFCON title. But the coach emphasizes that his players are focused on achieving their goals one game at a time. “We are here for the defence of the WAFCON trophy, and the team is fully ready and set to go,” Madugu said before the Group C opener.
“We have a focus, we have a target, and we know what we really want to achieve. We are here to ensure that we qualify for the World Cup, as well as retain the trophy we won last year.”
‘We will not underestimate Malawi’
Even though Malawi is making their first appearance at WAFCON, Madugu rejected any idea that the Super Falcons would take them lightly. He described the Scorchers as a strong team and insisted that every team in the tournament deserves respect after working hard to qualify. “They are debutants in the WAFCON, but they are a very good side,” he said.
“We’re not taking any team for granted because you need to respect everybody that has qualified for this competition. Everybody is coming here with a purpose, with a mission, so you don’t undermine or underestimate what anybody can do.”
Madugu added that Nigeria's mindset remains the same, no matter who they are up against. “Usually when you prepare for a competition, your ultimate goal is to win. So, you approach every game as it comes, and you try as much as possible to make sure that you win all your games.”
Madugu welcomes tournament expansion
The Super Falcons coach also welcomed CAF’s decision to expand this year’s competition to 16 teams, seeing it as an important step for women's football in Africa. He believes the bigger tournament gives more talented players a chance to show what they can do on a grand stage.
However, Madugu thinks that African football bodies need to keep investing in player welfare, coaching development, and facilities to support the growth of the game. Meanwhile, team captain Rasheedat Ajibade shared her thoughts ahead of the opener, echoing her coach's views. She said the only way to measure success against Malawi is by winning all three points.
“A good performance from the Super Falcons will be to win. Three points, and that’s all we think is a good performance for us because that’s all that matters in this tournament,” Ajibade said.
“Of course, you want to think about how you play, how you perform, the tactical and all of those brilliances. But if you do all of that and you don’t win, I don’t think that’s going to count for anything in this game, in this tournament.”
‘Malawi deserve respect’
Ajibade also praised the progress of women’s football in Malawi, noting their qualification for the tournament and the success of sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga in top leagues abroad. She said Malawi’s growth shows they are putting in serious work to develop women's football. “It shows the progress they’re making,” Ajibade said.
“It shows the intentionality of their federation or their nation investing in women’s football. And also, some of their players are also playing in top-flight leagues as well. It shows that, yeah, the future of women’s football is really bright with intentional investment and consistency all round.”
‘Create the right environment’
Ajibade called for continued investment in women's football across Africa, stressing that creating the right environment would encourage more women to participate and keep more female athletes in the sport. “When you create the right environment, it increases participation and it increases retention,” she said.
The Super Falcons captain added that athletes perform best when they feel safe, comfortable, and free to express themselves. Nigeria will begin their WAFCON 2026 journey against Malawi at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday, 28 July, as they aim for another continental title and a spot at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
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