Nigeria’s Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has declared that his team will look to seize a second chance of reaching the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup when they face South Africa in the qualifying play-off on Thursday.
The Super Falcons entered the play-offs after their quarter-final defeat to Cameroon ended their hopes of automatic World Cup qualification and a place in the WAFCON semi-finals, leaving the ten-time African champions to navigate the qualification pathway to keep their ever-present World Cup record alive.
Nigeria will now face Banyana Banyana of South Africa at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Thursday (today), with a place in the inter-confederation playoffs at stake.
Madugu acknowledged the importance of the encounter and insisted that the Super Falcons are determined to fight hard and overcome Desiree Ellis’ side.
The coach expressed confidence in his players’ ability to respond positively to the disappointment against Cameroon and take advantage of their final route towards qualification for the 2027 World Cup.
“We have a second chance. We have this second opportunity. We are still going to do the best that we can,” Madugu said during his interaction with the media in Casablanca.
“We’re not leaving anything out. We’re going to put in all our best to make sure that we put smiles on the faces of our people because we know what it means to all of us as Nigerians.”
Madugu also assured that he would field players who are fully prepared to deliver against South Africa, insisting there would be no room for experimentation in the crucial encounter.
“For tomorrow’s (today) game, for every game we pick, we pick those that we feel are ready to ensure that we win every match,” added the gaffer.
“It’s not just about squad rotation; everybody should have an opportunity to just play. It’s not about that. It’s about ensuring that we have the right people that will always win every game for us.”
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
