Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has warned his players against complacency as they prepare to face Benin Republic in the return leg of their WAFCON qualifiers at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, on Tuesday.
Nigeria take a 2–0 advantage into the home fixture after a solid display in the first leg last Friday, but Madugu insists that the job is far from done.
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The coach revealed that the team now has more tactical and technical information on their opponents and expects a much higher level of play in the return match.
“We can’t afford to relax,” Madugu said. “The first leg was always going to be tricky because we didn’t have enough details about Benin Republic. Now, we know them better, and we have to approach this game with greater focus and determination.”
The Falcons, nine-time African champions, are targeting a place at next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) — a competition that will also serve as the qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Madugu, who took over after the last WAFCON, said his team has moved on from past triumphs and is focused solely on maintaining Nigeria’s dominance on the continent.
“We’ve put the last tournament behind us,” he added. “It’s a new chapter, and we are building a team that will compete not just in Africa, but globally.”
The Falcons will be boosted by a strong home crowd in Abeokuta, with the Nigeria Football Federation confirming that fans will be allowed into the stadium to support the team.
Victory will secure Nigeria’s place in the next round of qualifiers as they continue their quest to defend their WAFCON title and book another World Cup ticket.
