Super Falcons head coach, Justin Madugu, has insisted he feels no pressure to deliver Nigeria’s 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, as the team intensifies preparations for the continental showpiece in Morocco.
The Nigerian women’s national team arrived in Casablanca, Morocco’s capital, on Wednesday ahead of the 2024 WAFCON tournament scheduled to hold from July 5 to 26.
Nigeria, Africa’s most successful women’s national team, will be gunning for a record-extending 10th title, having won nine out of the 12 tournaments since the inception of the championship in 1998.
The Super Falcons have been drawn in Group B alongside Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria. All group matches will be played at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, with Nigeria set to begin their campaign against Tunisia on Sunday, July 6.
Amid high expectations from fans and stakeholders, Coach Madugu remains focused and undeterred. “I am not under pressure to deliver Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON title,” he said, reinforcing the team’s ambition while acknowledging the magnitude of the task ahead.
He also highlighted the importance of the moment, particularly for local coaches like himself, entrusted with leading the country on such a grand stage.
The Super Falcons’ final phase of preparations is underway, with 22 players arriving in Casablanca on Wednesday night. They joined Bay FC forward, Asisat Oshoala, and China-based Folasade Ijamilusi, who arrived earlier in the week.
The full 24-player squad is expected to complete their final training routines before facing Ghana in a crucial warm-up fixture — their last friendly before the tournament kicks off.
Prior to their arrival in Morocco, Madugu’s team held Portugal to a goalless draw in Lisbon on Monday, wrapping up their penultimate preparatory match.
