Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu and captain Rasheedat Ajibade have expressed confidence in Nigeria’s readiness ahead of their opening Group C match against debutants Malawi at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Speaking at the official pre-match press conference, Madugu said the 10-time African champions are fully prepared to begin their title defence while also targeting qualification for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“We are here for the defence of the WAFCON trophy and the team is fully ready and set to go,” Madugu said.
Ajibade shared the coach’s optimism, insisting that the squad is united and focused on achieving its objectives.
“The team spirit is high. Everyone is fully focused. We know why we’re here and we are ready to take things one step at a time. We’re 100% ready,” she said.
Madugu reiterated that Nigeria’s ambition remains clear: retain the continental title and secure a place at the next FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“We have a focus, we have a target, and we know what we really want to achieve. We are here to ensure that we qualify for the World Cup as well as retain the trophy we won last year,” he stated.
Despite Malawi making their first appearance at the tournament, the Nigerian coach warned against complacency, describing the Southern Africans as a team deserving of respect.
“Every team that qualifies for this tournament deserves commendation and a lot of respect. They are debutants, but they are a very good side. We don’t take anything for granted. Everybody is here with a purpose, so we will stick to our game plan and our mission,” Madugu added.
Ajibade also praised Malawi’s progress, noting that the country’s qualification and the emergence of players in competitive leagues reflect the steady growth of women’s football across Africa. She stressed that Nigeria’s priority is to secure all three points.
“A good performance for the Super Falcons is to win three points. That’s what matters in this tournament. You can play well tactically, but if you don’t win, it doesn’t count for much,” she said.
The Super Falcons captain also thanked Nigerian fans for their unwavering support and urged them to continue backing the team throughout the competition.
“Our fans are always there for us, both in the stadium and on social media. Their support played a huge role in our last success. We want them to bring even more energy because we need it to keep raising our standards and flying Nigeria’s flag high. Keep cheering us, supporting us and praying for us. We’ll make you proud.”
On the development of women’s football, Madugu welcomed the expansion of WAFCON to 16 teams, saying it provides greater opportunities for African players to showcase their talents. However, he called for continued investment in player welfare, coaching education and sporting infrastructure across the continent.
Ajibade added that creating a safe and supportive environment for female athletes is essential to encouraging greater participation.
She added “First, we have to create the right environment where athletes feel safe to speak, express themselves and confide in coaches. Infrastructure is important, but without a safe environment, you won’t retain athletes. Everything starts with creating that environment before improving facilities and encouraging players to become role models.”
Nigeria will kick off their WAFCON 2026 campaign against Malawi with the aim of making a winning start as they pursue another continental title and qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
