Despite the worrying performance of the Super Falcons at the 2024 WAFCON, some Nigerian coaches believe the Justine Madugu-led team are playing in the best way they can to win a 10th continental title for the country.
The Super Falcons booked their place in the last eight of the tournament with a game to spare, but their performance in those games has triggered fans’ scepticism about their chances of winning a 10th WAFCON title.
After a 3-0 win over Tunisia in their first game, the team became less convincing in their second game – a scrappy 1-0 win over Botswana, thanks to a late goal by Chiwendu Ihezuo – before playing out a frustrating goalless draw against Algeria in the last game.
Ahead of Friday’s quarter-final clash against Zambia, who beat the team in the third-place playoff during the 2022 edition, fans and former players have clamoured for an improvement in the team’s performances, but some coaches don’t share the same view.
A former assistant coach of the team, Mansur Abdullahi, drummed support for Madugu’s approach at the tournament.
The performance is not a bad one. I remind Nigerians, we all remember when Waldrum was in charge of the team, we didn’t even win the WAFCON. So, our target is how the Falcons will get something out of this tournament, Abdullahi told us.
At times in tournaments, a team can play badly, but if they are getting the result, then we should bear with them. I have confidence that the Falcons will do very well.
Remo Stars Ladies coach, Wemimo Matthew, also reechoed coach Abdullahi’s sentiments.
One thing I know is that there is no player who will go to the field and want to perform badly. As far as I’m concerned, they are giving their best. They have been able to win two out of three games, drawing one; that’s a very good result for me.
We have to give credit to the players and the coaches. I think the coach is doing his best, and I believe we will beat Zambia.
Former coach of the Falcons, Edwin Okon, also said, I am happy that we are progressing, but we just need to take it as it comes. The players know what’s at stake. The coaches will also know what to do to succeed. Whether they have beaten us before, this is a different ball game altogether, so I am sure the players know what is at stake, the coach said.
Nigeria are the most successful nation in the history of the tournament since it became full-scale in 1998, winning nine of the 12 editions so far and making it to at least the semi-final in every tournament they have played.
