Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu says he has learned to manage criticism as Nigeria prepare for a decisive final Group C encounter against Egypt at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Madugu came under intense scrutiny following Nigeria’s shock 3-2 defeat to debutants Malawi in their opening game, with questions raised over his team selection, tactics and use of players.
However, the coach responded with a significant tactical and personnel reshuffle against Zambia, making five changes to his starting XI.
The adjustments paid off as Asisat Oshoala scored in the eighth minute to secure a vital 1-0 victory.
Speaking after the win, Madugu maintained that criticism is part of the job, particularly when results do not go the team’s way.
The coach suggested that his tactical decisions attracted little attention when the Super Falcons were winning, but became a major talking point after the defeat to Malawi.
“I have to manage criticism,” Madugu said, stressing that his focus remains on getting the best out of his players and achieving results for Nigeria.
The victory over Zambia, however, came at a cost as Nigeria played with 10 players for more than 50 minutes after Oluwatosin Demehin was sent off.
Madugu praised the resilience and character of his players, who defended their slender advantage under sustained pressure to claim three crucial points.
The result has revived Nigeria’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stage, but qualification is not yet guaranteed.
The Super Falcons head into their final Group C fixture against Egypt with three points from two matches, making the encounter a crucial test of Madugu’s ability to guide the team through another high-pressure situation.
With the criticism temporarily eased by the Zambia victory, Madugu and his players must now produce another strong performance against Egypt to secure their place in the next round.
For the Super Falcons, the equation is simple: the Egypt clash is another opportunity to turn renewed confidence into a decisive WAFCON result.
This angle keeps the story focused on Madugu’s handling of criticism, the Zambia response, and the pressure surrounding the Egypt match.
