National Teams
WAFCON 2026: Madugu targets title defence, World Cup qualification as Nigeria face Malawi
Nigeria head coach Justine Madugu has declared that Nigeria’s primary objectives at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) are to successfully defend their continental title and secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The defending champions will begin their campaign against tournament debutants Malawi at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday, determined to continue their dominance of African women’s football after lifting a record-extending 10th WAFCON title last year.
Speaking ahead of the Group B opener, Madugu insisted that the Super Falcons have arrived in Morocco with a clear mission and are fully prepared for the challenge ahead.
“We are here for the defence of the WAFCON trophy, and the team is fully ready and set to go. We have a focus, we have a target, and we know what we really want to achieve,” Madugu toldmedia at the press conference.
“We are here to ensure that we qualify for the World Cup, as well as retain the trophy we won last year.”
Despite Malawi making their first-ever appearance at the tournament, the Nigerian tactician warned against complacency, stressing that every team deserved respect after earning qualification for the continental showpiece.
“They are debutants in the WAFCON, but they are a very good side. We’re not taking any team for granted because you need to respect everybody that has qualified for this competition. Everybody is coming here with a purpose, with a mission. You don’t undermine or underestimate what anybody can do.”
Madugu added that Nigeria’s mentality remains unchanged regardless of the opposition, with victory the objective in every fixture.
“Usually when you prepare for a competition, your ultimate goal is to win. So, you approach every game as it comes, and you try as much as possible to make sure that you win all your games.”
The Super Falcons coach also welcomed CAF’s decision to expand the tournament to 16 teams, describing it as another positive step in the growth of women’s football across Africa.
According to him, the increased number of participating nations will provide more opportunities for talented players to compete on the biggest stage, although he believes greater investment is still required in coaching, infrastructure and player welfare to sustain the sport’s development across the continent.
Victory over Malawi would hand Nigeria an ideal start as they pursue both continental glory and qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
