Super Falcons coach: Team still a work in progress despite Senegal wins

Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu described Nigeria as a "work in progress" despite the team completing an emphatic double over Senegal with a convincing 3-0 victory. The win in Ikenne capped an impressive international window for the ten-time African champions as they continue preparations for the upcoming Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where Nigeria aims to defend its continental crown.

Goals from emerging forward Omewa Joy, who scored her first two international goals, and a late strike from six-time African Women's Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala sealed the comfortable win in the second leg of the friendly series. Speaking after the match, Madugu expressed satisfaction with his players' performance but stressed that significant work remains before the tournament.

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Yes, we are impressed by the performance of the girls because we are assessing them individually and collectively as a group. It's still a work in progress. Just because we have won does not mean the team is fully ready. We still have to continue working on areas that we feel need improvement.

"Yes, we are impressed by the performance of the girls because we are assessing them individually and collectively as a group," Madugu said. "It's still a work in progress. Just because we have won does not mean the team is fully ready. We still have to continue working on areas that we feel need improvement. We have to identify those areas and keep working on them. Generally, it was a good performance and we are happy with the way the girls are responding."

The coach also revealed that the technical crew deliberately used the Senegal friendlies to test various tactical systems and formations. "We are trying to add some strategies. You can see that the formation we used in the last game was different, while today's formation was totally different. We are trying many things to see how the girls respond to these changes," he explained.

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We are trying to add some strategies. You can see that the formation we used in the last game was different, while today’s formation was totally different. We are trying many things to see how the girls respond to these changes.

Madugu defended the return of experienced players like Ngozi Okobi and Francisca Ordega, highlighting that experience is a critical asset in women's football. "Women's football is different from men's football. Many people have the wrong perception that the younger you are, the better. In women's football, experience matters greatly," he noted. "When you look at the top countries in women's football, you will find players above 30 and even close to 40 who are still important members of their national teams. You need a blend of experienced players and younger ones so they can pass on knowledge and help guide the next generation both on and off the pitch."

While admitting a preference for more preparatory matches before WAFCON, Madugu stated the coaching crew would maximize available opportunities. "We would have loved to have more games, but we have to make the best of the opportunities available to us. We are hoping to have at least one or two more matches before the competition begins." He also addressed tactical adjustments made at halftime after the team struggled with finishing in the first period, noting issues with positioning and conversion.

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Women’s football is different from men’s football. Many people have the wrong perception that the younger you are, the better. In women’s football, experience matters greatly.