14/07/2025
Super Falcons coach not worried about Banda-Nanji threat
| Sportsration | July 14, 2025 |
Nigeria Women’s head coach Justine Madugu has promised Nigerians that his team will make the country proud when they face Zambia at the ongoing 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The crucial quarter-final match will take place on Friday at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca and will decide who goes through to the semi-finals.
MMadugu has spoken confidently ahead of the match, although he recognises the threat posed by the Zambian team, known as the Copper Queens. Zambia have two strong forwards in their squad – top scorer Rachel Kundananji and their captain Barbra Banda.
Despite this, Madugu said the Super Falcons are ready for the challenge.
“We have our strategy. We have studied them closely and we know what they are capable of,” he said.
He added, “We are not too worried about individual talent. Football is a team sport, and we will focus on stopping their main strengths.”
The Super Falcons qualified for the quarter-finals after a goalless draw against Algeria in their final group stage match on Sunday night. Many fans were disappointed with the performance, especially in attack, where Nigeria missed several good chances.
Madugu made eight changes to his starting line-up for that game, but the team still failed to break down the Algerian defence.
“We want to apologise to Nigerians for not winning the match. We understand the expectations and we did our best, but things did not go our way. We are sorry and we will work harder to make the country proud in the matches to come,” he said.
[Sportsration]
