Head coach of the reigning Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria, Justin Madugu, has revealed that preparations have already shifted towards the next round of WAFCON qualifiers, scheduled for October 2025 against West African rivals, Benin Republic.
Madugu, who masterminded Nigeria’s recent WAFCON triumph, has explained that the focus now is to strengthen the squad further, scout active and in-form players, and provide opportunities for those who missed out on the tournament.
The Super Falcons are now aiming to defend their continental crown and secure early qualification for the next WAFCON, using coach Madugu’s roadmap as a clear intent to maintain dominance in African women’s football.
Attention Turns to Benin Clash in October – Justin Madugu
Speaking to the media, Madugu explained that Nigeria’s success at WAFCON had increased expectations and placed additional pressure on the technical team to build on their achievements.
“We have achieved what we have achieved. It has brought so much attention on the team, which has also made our job even more difficult, with the opposition and everybody,” Madugu said.
“The qualifiers for the next edition, we have a game already in October, which we have to start planning for, and we equally must try as much as possible to spread, check more players.”
Madugu on Fresh Call-Ups and Squad Depth
Coach Madugu has also confirmed that the technical crew is considering new call-ups and opportunities for players who were not part of the successful WAFCON campaign.
He explained this action is needed to promote squad depth and competition in the squad.
“If we had had more camps before we travelled, we had wanted to look at quite a number of other players,” he said.
“But because we didn’t have that time, it was too short, it was risky for us to begin to look at players that you don’t know much about.”
“But now that this one is done and dusted, we must get the team and create more competition in the team.”
Planned Camps to Scout New Talent
Madugu included that between now and October, the Super Falcons will have one or two training camps aimed at evaluating potential new talents and boosting team competitiveness.
“So we hope between now and October to have like one or two camps and see how we can also give new players the opportunity to also showcase what they can also do,” he stated.
Roadmap for the Future
The Falcons coach concluded that his technical team already has a comprehensive program to ensure sustained progress as they prepare for the qualifiers and beyond.
“We already have a program, a template of what we hope to do between now and the next qualifying game, and then what will also happen after the qualifying game.”
“We are looking at that, trying to put things together,” Madugu concluded.
