Justine Madugu Reveals Importance Of Super Falcons Vs Cameroon Friendlies

Super Falcons head coach, Justine Madugu, has said the upcoming friendlies against Cameroon will play a key role in shaping his squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Madugu named a 25-player list for the double-header against the Indomitable Lionesses in Yaounde and made it clear the games are more about assessment than scorelines.

“The key objective is to try and ensure that we improve on the team cohesion, and try as much as possible to look at new players that can possibly give us new options before the WAFCON,” the coach said at a pre-match press conference on Friday.

He stressed that individual displays will determine who stays in his long-term plans.

“What the players will do in the game will tell us their capacity, how they fit into the team and what qualities they bring. We will then see how we can utilise those qualities and attributes to the team’s advantage so that we can have various options in our play,” he said.

Madugu acknowledged the winning mentality within the squad but insisted the friendlies serve a broader purpose.

He said, “Naturally, each time we go out to play any game, whether friendly or competition, the expectation is always that we must win. It’s not different from the mindset of the team.

“However, winning is not the ultimate for us, because the major objective is to really assess the players, particularly the new ones, so we can see what they bring to the team.”

The coach expressed satisfaction with the early mood in camp after two days of work together.

“Within those two days, I have been impressed with the level of understanding, cooperation and synergy of the players. The new players have been well accommodated by the more senior players, and we are doing everything we can to create a very conducive environment so they can have a sense of belonging and do their best,” Madugu said.

Naija News reports that the Super Falcons’ camp rose to 24 players on Friday following the arrival of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defenders Michelle Alozie and Osinachi Ohale, and forward Chinwendu Ihezuo at the team’s Hilton Hotel base in Yaounde.

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade and 16 others had earlier opened camp and trained at the annex of the Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo.

The first friendly takes place on Saturday at the Military Stadium in Yaounde, with the return fixture scheduled for Tuesday, March 3.

Nigeria will compete in Group C at the 14th WAFCON, alongside Zambia, Egypt and Malawi. The Super Falcons open their campaign on March 18 in Casablanca. All four semi-finalists will qualify automatically for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.