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WAFCON 2026: Madugu demands defensive improvement as Super Falcons face Cameroon
Nigeria head coach Justine Madugu says the Super Falcons must improve defensively if they are to continue their title defence at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The defending champions have been the tournament’s most prolific team in attack, scoring nine goals across their three group-stage matches. However, that attacking form has been accompanied by an unusually vulnerable defensive record, with Nigeria conceding five goals in the same period.
Madugu has acknowledged that the Super Falcons have allowed goals that should have been avoided and says the issue requires immediate attention as the competition moves into the knockout stages.
“We are a team very solid defensively, but of recent we have been conceding very, very unnecessary goals, which is very worrisome,” Madugu said during his interaction with the media.
“The manner we are conceding these goals calls for serious concerns. We have to do a bit of work to address this.”
Nigeria’s defensive figures contrast sharply with their performance at the previous edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which was also hosted by Morocco. The Super Falcons conceded only three goals in six matches on their way to winning the title.
They will now face the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in the quarter-finals on Sunday, with the match taking place at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
The meeting represents the next test of Nigeria’s ability to balance their attacking strength with greater defensive security. Their nine goals in the group stage have underlined the threat they pose in the final third, but the five goals conceded have highlighted an area Madugu believes must be corrected before the decisive stages of the tournament.
The Super Falcons progressed to the last eight as they continue their attempt to retain the trophy, while Cameroon stand between them and a place in the semi-finals. Madugu’s side will therefore need to produce a more disciplined defensive display if they are to maintain their challenge in Morocco.
The Nigeria coach has described the recent goals conceded by his team as a major concern, despite their established reputation for defensive solidity. His comments underline the importance of tightening up at the back ahead of Sunday’s quarter-final.
Nigeria’s campaign has so far combined the tournament’s strongest goalscoring record with defensive uncertainty. Against Cameroon, Madugu will be looking for his players to preserve their attacking efficiency while eliminating the avoidable mistakes that have contributed to their five goals conceded.
By Adeboye Amosu