WAFCON: Nigeria coach targets Egypt win for quarter-final spot

Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu is determined for his Nigerian team to secure a direct path to the quarter-finals of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations by defeating Egypt in their final Group C match. The defending champions face the North Africans on Wednesday at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, with a victory being the most straightforward route to the knockout stage.

Madugu revealed that while the team has analyzed various qualification scenarios, their primary focus is on controlling their own destiny. "We want to have our fate in our hands and not leave it for anybody to decide for us. So, we are going straight for what we know will put us through and that we are aware of," he stated during his pre-match press conference.

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We have done all the various permutations of what can get us through, and we know exactly which of the permutations can take us through. We want to have our fate in our hands and not leave it for anybody to decide for us. So, we are going straight for what we know will put us through and that we are aware of.

Nigeria's campaign began with a 3-2 loss to Malawi but was revitalized by a 1-0 win over Zambia, despite playing a significant portion of the match with 10 players. Currently, both Nigeria and Zambia have three points, trailing group leaders Malawi with six points. A draw against Egypt would only suffice if Zambia fails to secure a win against Malawi, making the match against Egypt crucial.

"No team prepares to lose a game. All we are going out for is to win the game and get a result that will qualify us to the next stage of the competition," Madugu added, underscoring the team's singular focus on achieving victory and advancing in the tournament. The match is scheduled to kick off at 9 p.m. Nigerian time.

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No team prepares to lose a game. All we are going out for is to win the game and get a result that will qualify us to the next stage of the competition.