Super Falcons Coach Madugu Defends Selections Ahead of World Cup Play-off

Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has pushed back against critics questioning his squad choices and tactical approach as Nigeria prepares for a pivotal 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup play-off against South Africa. Speaking at a pre-match press conference alongside captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Madugu directly addressed concerns about team rotation and tactics that arose after Nigeria's disappointing quarter-final exit from the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

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The ones that I win, you say it is the players that are good, but when we lose now, it is the coach that is bad. Every game, we pick those who we feel are ready to ensure that we win every match.

"The ones that I win, you say it is the players that are good, but when we lose now, it is the coach that is bad," Madugu stated, defending his decision-making process. "Every game, we pick those who we feel are ready to ensure that we win every match. How do you imagine a coach? You have the responsibility of selecting a team to go and win a match. How do you now do something contrary? What is your intention? What do you want?"

With Nigeria's World Cup aspirations hanging in the balance for Thursday's encounter, Madugu stressed the team's full awareness of the match's significance. "We all know how important that match is. We are treating it based on its importance because we know what it means," he said. "We’re ready for it. We’ll give it all our best."

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We all know how important that match is. We are treating it based on its importance because we know what it means. We’re ready for it. We’ll give it all our best.

Madugu also offered an update on player fitness, confirming that the medical team is working diligently to ensure all players are fully prepared for the decisive fixture. "We are working with the medical team to ensure that everybody who will be on the team tomorrow is fully fit, no reservations," he noted. "So far, I think we’re getting positive signals concerning a few of them that had some little challenges in the last game. Hopefully, they will all be ready for tomorrow."

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We are working with the medical team to ensure that everybody who will be on the team tomorrow is fully fit, no reservations. So far, I think we’re getting positive signals concerning a few of them that had some little challenges in the last game. Hopefully, they will all be ready for tomorrow.

The coach reiterated that the team's sole focus is on the upcoming match against South Africa. "My major concern for now is just tomorrow’s game. That’s what we are focused on," he explained. "Because you take it one at a time. By the time we cross tomorrow, we’ll get to the next hurdle, and then we’ll deal with that too." Madugu elaborated on his selection strategy, citing the opposition, player fitness, and the limited preparation time available to national teams as key factors influencing his choices, emphasizing the need for flexibility and adaptability.

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My major concern for now is just tomorrow’s game. That’s what we are focused on. Because you take it one at a time. By the time we cross tomorrow, we’ll get to the next hurdle, and then we’ll deal with that too.