Madugu confident Super Falcons will end Banyana’s unbeaten WAFCON run

By Olaolu Joseph –

Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has expressed confidence that his team will defeat South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in Tuesday’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) semi-final in Casablanca, Morocco.

Speaking ahead of the high-stakes clash, Madugu emphasized the players’ readiness and hunger to reclaim Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football. “The preparations are good and the girls have been very committed and determined. They are in good shape and well prepared for the task,” he said.

South Africa have not lost a WAFCON match in regulation time since 2018 — a 14-game unbeaten run — but Madugu believes the time has come for that record to end. “Yes, South Africa have not lost a game within regulation time since 2018. But records are meant to be broken.”

“No matter how long it takes, one day it will be broken. And we are hoping that by tomorrow (Tuesday), by the grace of God, that record will no longer exist,” he added.

The Super Falcons have been dominant en route to the semi-final, winning all but one of their matches and keeping a perfect defensive record without conceding a goal.

While Nigeria edged South Africa in the Olympic qualifiers last year, Madugu dismissed the notion that it gives his team a psychological edge. “It does not mean that it is an automatic thing for us. We must work hard for the victory that we desire. Every game is different,” he noted.

He stressed that the semi-final is a fresh battle, requiring focus and tactical discipline to succeed against the defending champions.

The much-anticipated showdown kicks off at 5 p.m. Nigerian time on Tuesday at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.