Following the Super Falcons’ 2-0 victory over the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in a high-stakes international friendly in Abeokuta, Head Coach Justin Madugu praised his players’ commitment while emphasizing that the team’s preparations for the upcoming Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) remain a work in progress.

 

Speaking after the match, Madugu acknowledged the historic rivalry between the two sides, describing the encounter as a “match of prestige” where neither team wanted to disappoint their compatriots.

 

“I use the opportunity to appreciate the players. For us, it’s still work in progress,” he said. “We are still putting our art together for the AWCON to be played later in the year. We have many things to work on.”

 

While applauding the Falcons’ performance, Madugu stressed the importance of more friendly matches to properly fine-tune strategies and evaluate the depth of the squad.

 

“We would have appreciated many more friendly matches so we can put to test our philosophy and strategies towards the Nations Cup,” he explained. “It could have given us the opportunity to see other players which we have not seen, before we decide who and who will go to the Nations Cup.”

 

Despite the limited number of preparatory games, Madugu remains focused on maximizing the current squad’s potential and getting the team tournament-ready.

 

“We have to make do with what we have and prepare the girls for the tournament ahead,” he added.

 

The win over Cameroon adds momentum to the Super Falcons’ buildup to AWCON 2024, where Nigeria will aim to reclaim their dominance on the continental stage.