Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu has dismissed criticism of his game plan after Nigeria’s surprising 3-2 loss to Malawi. He believes his team is ready for the important Group C match against Zambia on Saturday, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
Madugu faced backlash after the unexpected defeat to the Scorchers on Tuesday night. This loss marked the first time that the defending champions lost to a debutant nation in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The 61-year-old coach said fans have the right to question his tactics but reminded them of his success with the team.
“They are questioning my technical and tactical ability because we lost a game. But was the Malawi game the first I have handled with the Super Falcons?” Madugu asked.
“It was not the first game. I have handled several other matches that we won. Nobody questioned me then. The fact is that we know what we are doing. We are focused and looking ahead. We played at the tournament in 2024 and we won. Because we lost one game, people are questioning the tactics. It is within their rights to do so. I do not have any problem with that.”
Madugu also spoke about his team selection for the Malawi match. He explained that the players’ performances in training influence his decisions.
“Of course, if a player does not train well, how do you prove to us that you are ready for action?” he added.
“It is what we see you do in training that shows your level of preparedness, whether you are ready or not. You do not work with the mindset that you are always going to play. It does not work that way.
“You have to look at the players, assess them, also with the game plan you have in mind. When you present an idea, who is adapting to it, who is doing it well, these are the things you see before coming up with your selection. Then, when things go wrong, that is why we are there as coaches, to observe and correct them. It is not magic. There are things that take time for the players to understand. Some will assimilate quickly, others will not.”
Despite the setback, Madugu said the atmosphere in camp has improved ahead of the match against Zambia, which he called a must-win game.
“The feeling is good, everyone is looking very bright. We have put behind us the disappointment of the last game. We are looking forward to the game against Zambia,” he said.
“We are aware that Zambia’s confidence will be boosted by their victory over Egypt. We will also not want to approach the game in a manner that suggests we cannot be beaten. We know what is at stake, it is a must-win game.”
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