Justine Madugu talks Super Falcons’ rebuilding, WAFCON dream and France friendly

By Samuel Ahmadu

Nigeria’s interim head coach Justine Madugu is guiding the Super Falcons through a rebuilding phase following their recent victory over Algeria.

While praising the contributions of new players, Madugu emphasizes the need for continuous improvement, particularly in team cohesion and individual skills. The upcoming friendly against France presents a crucial opportunity to assess the squad’s development and test their abilities against a top-tier opponent.

Despite challenges like player injuries and absences, including key players like Asisat Oshoala, Deborah Abiodun, and Halimatu Ayinde, Madugu remains focused on long-term goals. He insists that foreign-born players remain an important part of the team and addresses concerns regarding their inclusion.

In this indepth interview with SportsBoom.com, Madugu’s focus is on preparing for the 2024 WAFCON and improving the team’s performance in all areas, especially in attack, to challenge for continental success.

The Super Falcons’ journey to a 10th African glory is ongoing, and the 60-year-old gaffer is committed to building a squad capable of competing at the highest levels.

1. How would you assess the performance of the team, especially the new players, after the Algeria match? “Considering the fact that it was a team that we are rebuilding and with the performance the girls put up, I think it was a commendable performance, especially by a lot of the new girls that came into the team. Some of them are first-timers with the Super Falcons. A few of them have played in the junior category. On a general note, I think it was a good performance.”
2. What areas or departments are you hoping to improve on following the Algeria win? “Even when you score maybe a thousand goals, it is still work in progress. In all the departments, we feel we need to still do better because we must improve the standard of the team and ensure that we make the team far better than where they are today. We would not say we are satisfied with any department because it is still work in progress. The quality of opposition you meet and the type of competition you participate in sometimes determines what you also do. Based on that particular game, I think overall in all the departments they didn’t do too badly but we still need to work on certain aspects that we observed tactically and technically from some of the players. There are areas that we still have to work on to ensure we make the team better.”
3. Can you address the rumors about your alleged hatred for foreign-born players? “We don’t have any reason to snub any foreign-born player. They are also Nigerians. They have every right to be part of the team, and for now, they are equally part of the team. We extended invitations to some of them, and unfortunately, some of them had challenges, which informed why they were not in the team when we played against Algeria. It’s not as if we snubbed any of them. No. We don’t have any thought of that kind in our hearts. They will certainly be part of every program that we would do. It’s not a problem for us at all, and people should remove their minds from those kinds of thoughts because it is distracting and it gives the players some kind of impression that possibly we, who are at home here, don’t like them. For what reason? They are Nigerians and also making sacrifices to play for the country. They are also coming to put in their best to contribute their quota to the development of the game in the country. Why would you deny them such opportunity if they merit it?”
4. What challenges do you expect when facing France? “Quite a number of them had challenges in the game against Algeria, but for this game against France, invitations were sent to them and they accepted. Gladly, they will also be part of the friendly game against France. The list is already made public. You will find quite a number of them in that list that will be playing against France. If people had negative thoughts earlier on, I don’t know what they will say this time around, now that their names are also included in the game against France.”
5. Could you explain the reason behind Asisat Oshoala’s absence? “All the excluded players are still an integral part of the Super Falcons and are also part of our plans going forward. Some of them had challenges, and that is why they are not in the team. For Asisat Oshoala, like I said to some people that were making inquiries, it’s a documentation problem. She is still working on her work permit, and once you apply for your work permit, there are procedures that must be followed and timelines attached to it. That process has not been completed, and she can’t leave the USA for now.”
6. Why has Deborah Abiodun been absent from the last two matches? “For Deborah Abiodun, the last time we spoke, she was just recovering from injury, and she said she still has like three stages of rehabilitation to undertake. Considering the fact that this is equally another friendly game, and from the last time till now, when we talk about three stages of rehabilitation, for us, we would assume that the player is still not fully fit to participate in games like this, so that we don’t subject her to more risk. It’s a friendly game. There are competitive matches ahead of us, and by the time she fully recovers, certainly Abiodun has done well for the national team. Some of them are the future of the team. She will still remain an integral part of the Super Falcons. She is still a member of the team.”
7. What’s the situation regarding Halimatu Ayinde and Nicole Payne’s absences? “For Halimatu Ayinde too, it’s the same thing. She is just recovering. She is undergoing her rehabilitation too, and unfortunately, she just lost her dad. Although the major reason is the injury, she is still undergoing her rehabilitation. For Nicole Payne, too, going forward, she will equally be part of the team. We spoke with her. I have told her that going forward, she will also be part of the team. We need to see others. We know a lot of them already. We are looking at areas where we need to get good substitutes in case something happens, so that we always have a backup. At least four with a large pool of players to always pick from. We try as much as possible to create a very competitive atmosphere where everybody earns her shirt, and nobody walks in and picks a shirt.”
8. How do you feel about the opportunity to face the 10th world-ranked team, France? “It’s a good one. We really must appreciate the Federation for organizing this kind of grade A international friendly against a top-rated country. It also gives us the opportunity of testing a lot of the younger ones that have not played at that level and have not competed against such top-rated countries. From the list of players that will be playing in this game, about 60 to 70% of them have played against top oppositions in the past. It is not anything new to them playing against a top country like France. Some played against them at the World Cup. Some have played against the top five countries in the world at the last Olympics. Playing against France should not be an issue for quite a number of our foreign-based players. Some French players are their teammates and play in the same league with them. It shouldn’t be anything new. It’s for the home-based players that we are traveling with that we would try and see how we will also give them opportunities in the course of the game for us to also assess and see how they perform against a top-rated country like that.”
9. What lessons are you looking to take from the Algeria wins into the friendly against France? “Every match comes with a different strategy because all the teams are not the same. The way Algeria plays is not the same way that the French team would also play. Looking at the French team, this year alone they have played close to 20 matches in 2024 alone. From what we have seen of the team, the nucleus of the team, close to about 80% of the players that prosecuted the games are also going to be part of this game that we will play. It gives you the understanding that it is a solid team, and they are balanced. At the same time, they have a consistent team. They are not trying players; they are also preparing for the Euros. They have a consistent team, and the same set of players have been winning about nine straight games away. They lost quite a few and drew quite a few of those games, but on average, it is not a team that you take for granted.”
10. Why were players from Edo Queens left out of the France-friendly squad? “We had players from Edo Queens that played in the last game, and because some of them will not be part of this current game due to logistic reasons and documentation, there was no way they could have been here to do the documentation and secure visas that would enable them to travel to France. We had to look for alternatives. Already we had quite a pool of players that we have been looking at, and we felt it is equally an opportunity to give others a chance and see what they can also do. Besides that, Edo Queens players just returned from a competition and also needed some rest. They just returned yesterday, and the team will be traveling tomorrow. You can’t expect that the team that just returned is going for a friendly match. They need to recover and get prepared for subsequent games ahead of us. For us, it is an opportunity to give others a chance and see what they can also bring to the table at the national team level.”
11. What is your impression of Edo Queens’ performance in the CAF Women’s Champions League? “We have seen quite a number of them, even before they traveled. We watched them during the Betsy Obaseki Cup, we watched them during the WAFU-B Qualifiers, and during Super Six. I think they are doing well. They have quite a number of good players, and the fact that they qualified for the continent also informed they are recruiting quality players to beef up their team in readiness for the sub-regional and continental competitions they just went to play. We have seen quite a number of them; they would also be given an opportunity at the appropriate time, and they would also be considered. Despite the fact that they did not win the tournament, they gave a good account of themselves. A lot of the players were quite impressive. About three of the games they played, the Woman of the Match has always been from Edo Queens. That tells you something about the performance of the players that were in the team.”
12. What are your thoughts on Nigeria’s draw in the WAFCON, where you’ll face Algeria, Tunisia, and Botswana? “It’s a good draw, and it’s equally a difficult one. We have the North Africans, we have Algeria and Tunisia. We have Botswana that is equally very formidable. We saw them perform at the World Cup and also at the Olympics, and we also know that they will be difficult opponents. But for us, we know that it is also an opportunity to put the team to test again. They’ve got to step up because that will be a very competitive tournament. By then, the team would have gelled well enough, and we should be better than we are today.”
13. How do you handle the challenges of coaching at the international level with limited time and resources? “We do our best with the little time and resources we have. We don’t have the luxury of time, and sometimes we only get to meet the players for about 48 hours before major matches. But we make the most of these short training periods, focusing on what’s most critical for the upcoming games. It’s always a challenge to maximize preparation with limited resources, but we work hard to ensure we can build a competitive team in every situation.”
14. What is your target for the next WAFCON tournament? “Our target is always to win. We aim for the top spot. We are the defending champions, and as such, we will continue to do our best to maintain that standard and bring the trophy back to Nigeria.”
15. What is the key objective for your team in the upcoming friendly against France? “The key objective for this match is to test our team at a higher level, especially with many new faces. We want to see how they respond to a team like France, and this friendly will help us assess the strength and weaknesses of the team as we continue to build toward our major competitive tournaments.”
16. What areas of improvement are necessary to challenge for glory at the 2024 WAFCON? “We need to focus on refining our tactical discipline, improving our set-piece execution, and making sure the team is physically and mentally prepared for the intensity of the tournament. These are all areas we’re actively working on.”
17. How are you approaching the rebuilding process for the Super Falcons, and how do you view the future? “It’s a work in progress. We are building a team that can compete at the highest level. We are working with a mix of experienced players and new talents to ensure a future that can challenge for titles consistently. We are optimistic about the future and confident that the work we are doing now will yield results.”
18. What is your playing philosophy and approach to football? “My philosophy is to build a balanced team, one that can attack and defend with equal prowess. I believe in quick transitions, playing with pace, and ensuring that the team understands its roles both offensively and defensively. Most importantly, every player must understand the tactical requirements of the team and be able to execute them under pressure.”
19. How can Nigeria challenge the top footballing nations in the world? “By continuing to develop young talent, improving infrastructure, and giving our players exposure to international competitions. We need to keep pushing for more professional opportunities for our players, and to make sure we are competitive at every level.”
20. What are Nigeria’s chances in the 2024 CAF Awards, and how do you feel about the nominations? “It’s an honor to be recognized. Our chances are strong, especially with the impressive performances by our players and the team as a whole. I’m hopeful for the upcoming awards, but we are focused on continuing our growth and success beyond individual accolades.”
21. How important is support and patience from Nigerians as the team rebuilds, and what do you expect from your supporters? “Support is crucial. I urge Nigerians to remain patient as we rebuild the team. We are working hard, and I believe they will see results soon. Their support is important, and we will continue to make them proud.”