Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has declared that Nigeria will not be distracted in their quest to reclaim the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.
The Super Falcons are scheduled to take on the hosts of the 2024 WAFCON, Morocco, in the final of the tournament in Rabat at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 26.
The Nigerian team, nine-time champions of the tournament, arrived in the Moroccan capital on Wednesday and held their first training session on Thursday ahead of the encounter at the Olympic Stadium.
Speaking to NFF Media, Madugu expressed gratitude for reaching the final but maintained that the team’s ultimate focus is lifting the trophy.
“We thank God for making it to the final. I want to assure you that we are not going to relent or take our eyes off the ball. Our focus is on lifting the trophy in Rabat on Saturday,” he said.
The Super Falcons booked their spot in the final after edging out defending champions South Africa 1-0 in the semi-final, with Michelle Alozie scoring the decisive goal.
Morocco, on their part, progressed after defeating Ghana 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Madugu emphasized that Nigeria’s success so far has come from carefully tailored tactics based on each opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.
“We knew South Africa, as cup holders, would be difficult, but we were ready for them. I am glad that our tactics paid off”, he added.
“As I said before the tournament, we will always assess the opposition first and then determine what tactics would suit us better and serve our purpose. We have done these in our previous five games, and we will do the same in the final.”
The upcoming clash will mark Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON final. The Super Falcons have never lost in a final since the tournament began in 1998 and have scored 11 goals with only one conceded in the current campaign, a penalty by South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo.
They will face a Moroccan side that knocked them out in the semi-finals of the previous edition in 2022, a match in which Nigeria finished with nine players and eventually lost on penalties.
Saturday’s final will be officiated by Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa, the first from her country to handle a WAFCON final.
She will be assisted by Rwanda’s Alice Umutesi and Senegal’s Tabara Mbodji.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) role will be handled by Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga, with Letticia Viana of Eswatini and Zambia’s Diana Chikotesha assisting.
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