Nigeria’s female national team, Super Falcons’ coach, Justine Madugu has ruled out any form of overconfidence against Malawi in Tuesday’s first group match of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026), as he says his squad has ‘huge respect’ for all their opponents.
Sports247 added that Madugu opted to stay cautious heading into the 9pm kick-off in Rabat, Morocco, as he acknowledged that Malawi have a strong and ambitious squad, buoyed by the urge to make history, as Tanzania did against South Africa on Monday.
With Tanzania’s upset victory over the South Afircans coming after they held firmly before losing 2-1 to Nigeria in a build-up match last week, Madugu knows that WAFCON 2026 will not be a stroll in the park, and the Falcons’ gaffer opted not to underrate any opponent.
The vastly-experience tactician and former lecturer, who also led the Falcons to a record extending 10th WAFCON title last time out, admitted that they are eager to get an 11th conquest of the continent, but stressed that his players will not take any opponent for granted, starting with Malawi on Tuesday.
Madugu expatiated calmly, “We have huge respect for all our opponents. Every team that qualifies for this tournament deserves commendation and a lot of respect. Yes, they are debutants, but they are a very good side.
“We don’t take anything for granted. Everybody is coming here with a purpose and a mission. So, you don’t undermine or underestimate what anybody can do. The team is fully ready and set to go. We will stick to our gameplan and our mission.”
A preview by the communications department of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) added: “Tuesday’s clash is an encounter between authority and ambition, with the Super Falcons the overdogs against The Scorchers who will be playing their first-ever match in the Women Africa Cup of Nations finals.
“(Malawi) have the reverred Chawinga sisters – Tabitha and Temwa – capable of turning a match on its head in a matter of seconds. Coach Lovermore Fazili’s charges have lost to Morocco’s Lionesses and Ghana’s Black Queens in friendly matches over the past 13 months.
“(They) have also drawn with highly-rated Zambia (who possess Barbara Banda, Grace Banda and Rachael Kundananji), and made short work of Angola in their final qualifying fixture for this tournament.
“Fazili also has defenders Ireen Khumalo, Olivia Phikani and Benadetta Mkandawire, midfielders Rose Kadzere, Letticia Chinyamula and Faith Chinzimu, and forwards Vanessa Chikupira and Deborah Henry among others, who are capable of making the night tough for the Super Falcons.”
Sports247 gathered that, despite facing racist abuse online heading into the game, the Falcons aim to kick off their defence of the Women Africa Cup of Nations title in an emphatic manner when they lock horns with the debuting ‘Scorchers’ of Malawi at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday night.
