Madugu Plans Tactical Shake-Up for Portugal Clash
Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has promised a revised tactical approach ahead of Nigeria’s international friendly against Portugal on 23 June. The match will be held in Lisbon, and Madugu is keen to ensure his team puts on a vastly improved performance.
The Nigerian side, currently preparing for the African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Morocco this July, is aiming to build momentum following their emphatic 2-0 win over Cameroon in Abeokuta. That victory, according to Madugu, was the result of disciplined execution of training ground routines and tireless commitment from his players.
The coach, reflecting on previous struggles against European opposition including recent losses to France, Spain, Japan, and Brazil stressed the need for adaptability. "We will face each game based on the opposition," he said. "We’ll try different strategies to see which one fits our team better."
Madugu dismissed the notion that the victory over Cameroon was easy, insisting it was earned through hard work and focus. "It was a good game, and the girls tried to put in a lot of what we’ve been working on," he explained. "However, we are not yet a finished product. It’s still work in progress."
He acknowledged the immense expectations placed on the Super Falcons as Nigeria’s most decorated national team and vowed to continue evolving the squad to meet those standards. "We’re not unmindful of Nigerians’ expectations. The Super Falcons is one of the most successful teams in our country’s history, so each match comes with high demands."
Editorial
There is something refreshingly pragmatic about Justin Madugu’s leadership of the Super Falcons. In an era when managers often hide behind excuses or over-promise on immediate success, Madugu is transparent: his team is still under construction.
Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has promised a revised tactical approach ahead of Nigeria’s international friendly against Portugal on 23 June. The match will be held in Lisbon, and Madugu is keen to ensure his team puts on a vastly improved performance.
The Nigerian side, currently preparing for the African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Morocco this July, is aiming to build momentum following their emphatic 2-0 win over Cameroon in Abeokuta. That victory, according to Madugu, was the result of disciplined execution of training ground routines and tireless commitment from his players.
The coach, reflecting on previous struggles against European opposition including recent losses to France, Spain, Japan, and Brazil stressed the need for adaptability. "We will face each game based on the opposition," he said. "We’ll try different strategies to see which one fits our team better."
Madugu dismissed the notion that the victory over Cameroon was easy, insisting it was earned through hard work and focus. "It was a good game, and the girls tried to put in a lot of what we’ve been working on," he explained. "However, we are not yet a finished product. It’s still work in progress."
He acknowledged the immense expectations placed on the Super Falcons as Nigeria’s most decorated national team and vowed to continue evolving the squad to meet those standards. "We’re not unmindful of Nigerians’ expectations. The Super Falcons is one of the most successful teams in our country’s history, so each match comes with high demands."
Editorial
There is something refreshingly pragmatic about Justin Madugu’s leadership of the Super Falcons. In an era when managers often hide behind excuses or over-promise on immediate success, Madugu is transparent: his team is still under construction.