Super Falcons Prepare for Friendlies Against Cameroon Ahead of WAFCON

Ikenne-Remo, Nigeria — The Nigeria women’s national football team, known as the Super Falcons, is gearing up for two important friendly matches against Cameroon. Head coach Justin Madugu considers these games vital for the team’s preparation as they aim to reclaim the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.

The first match is set for Saturday, May 31, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo. The second match will follow on Tuesday, June 3, at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta.

In the last WAFCON tournament, the Super Falcons suffered a disappointing defeat, losing to Morocco in the semifinals and finishing in fourth place, which tied their lowest-ever performance in the tournament.

Madugu, who was part of the coaching staff during that tournament, expressed his determination to change the team’s mindset ahead of the upcoming matches. In an interview with ESPN, he stated, “Our objectives for these two matches include improving our game philosophy and tactical approach. We want to observe and assess the players in line with our philosophy.”

He added that these friendly games will provide a mental test for the team, which is crucial for preparing for the pressures of tournament football. “Yes, these are friendly matches,” Madugu said, “but we must approach things with the right mentality, with the attitude that we want to win.”

The Super Falcons have a historical rivalry with Cameroon in women’s football, recently defeating them in a qualifying fixture for the Olympics last year. Madugu indicated that the players are aware of the importance of these matches, even though they are not official competitions.

Despite some key players being unavailable for the friendlies, the squad still includes experienced players such as captain Rasheedat Ajibade and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. Madugu emphasized the necessity of adopting a winning attitude to succeed in the upcoming WAFCON tournament.

The Super Falcons will compete against Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana in Group B of the WAFCON in Morocco.