Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has promised to make changes to his squad ahead of their Algeria clash after a 1-0 win over Botswana in their second Group B match at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Casablanca.
A late strike from Chinwendu Ihezuo secured victory and a place in the quarter-finals for the nine-time African champions, but Madugu was far from satisfied with the overall performance.
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“It was a tough and highly competitive game,” Madugu said during the post-match press conference. “The Botswana girls were very spirited and determined. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy.”
Madugu acknowledged that the Super Falcons struggled to find rhythm in a match where Botswana frustrated their attacking play and capitalised on lapses in concentration.
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“Every game has its own strategy. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. That’s why we make changes when things aren’t working. Not every player will have a good day, but we got better in the second half and converted one of our chances.”
With Nigeria securing six points from two games and a quarter-final ticket sealed, Madugu confirmed that squad rotation is expected in their final group match against Algeria.
“We’ll definitely make some changes in the last game,” he said. “Not because we’re fielding a weaker team; all our players are capable, but because we need to manage the squad carefully. This is a long tournament, and we could play up to six matches, so it’s important to rest some players and give others opportunities.”
He also pointed to complacency within the Super Falcons’ ranks as a contributing factor to their underwhelming display.
“It was a combination of both Botswana’s determination and our complacency,” Madugu said. “They came out fighting after losing their first game, and we didn’t match that energy in the first half. That’s why the game was as difficult as it was.”
The coach also confirmed that midfielder Deborah Abiodun will miss the Algeria match due to suspension after accumulating two yellow cards, but expressed confidence in the team’s depth.
“We know Deborah is out, but this gives others the chance to step in and prove themselves,” Madugu added. “You can’t be the best without depth and resilience. It’s all part of the process.”
Nigeria will face Algeria in their final Group B fixture on Sunday, aiming to maintain a perfect record and build momentum heading into the knockout stages.
