Nigeria Super Falcons coach, Justin Madugu, says his side is focusing on building team cohesion and exploring new options ahead of the first of two pre-2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) friendly matches against Cameroon, www.aclsports.com reports.
The two-leg encounter will take place at the Military Stadium in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Saturday, 28 February, before the return leg on Thursday, 3 March 2026.
“Well, the key objective is to try and ensure that we improve team cohesion and to look at new players who can possibly give us options before WAFCON,” Madugu said during the pre-match interview on his key objectives for the game.
Asked about how the game will shape his final squad, the Super Falcons boss explained:
“As I said earlier, we need to have options in the team. What the players do in the game will tell us their capacity, how they fit into the team, and what qualities they bring. We will use those attributes to the team’s advantage and have several options in our play,” added Madugu.
When asked what Nigeria should expect from the match against Cameroon, Madugu insisted that while the team always aims to win, the focus is on assessing the squad:
“Every time we play, whether friendly or competitive, the expectation is to win. But winning is not the ultimate goal. The major objective is to assess the players, particularly the new ones, and see what they bring to the team so we can build on that.”
The coach also praised the atmosphere in camp after only two days of training:
“I’m impressed with the level of understanding, cooperation, and synergy among the players. The new players have been well accommodated and supported by the senior players. We are creating a conducive atmosphere so everyone can feel a sense of belonging, which will enable them to give their best. The camaraderie on and off the field has been very encouraging,” Madugu said.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group C of the 2026 WAFCON alongside Zambia, Egypt and Malawi. As the defending champions, they are using the friendlies as an opportunity to experiment and build depth, ensuring they enter WAFCON 2026 with both experience and fresh talent ready to make an impact.
