Nigeria head coach Justin Madugu says the Super Falcons are determined to beat Egypt and secure their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The nine-time African champions face a decisive Group C encounter knowing that only a victory will guarantee they keep their knockout-stage ambitions alive.
Nigeria began the tournament with a surprise 3-2 defeat by Malawi, who are making their debut at the competition. The Super Falcons recovered in their second match, beating Zambia 1-0 in a difficult contest in which they spent much of the game with 10 players.
Those results have left the group finely poised going into the final round of fixtures.
Malawi currently lead Group C on six points, while Nigeria and Zambia have three points each. Egypt are bottom without a point. With every team still having a mathematical opportunity to progress, the meeting between Nigeria and Egypt carries major significance for the Super Falcons.
Madugu says his coaching staff have examined the various possibilities surrounding qualification but want Nigeria to take control of their own situation by winning.
“We have looked at all the possible qualification scenarios and understand what we need to do.
“Our objective is to ensure our destiny remains in our own hands by winning the match,” Madugu said.
The coach believes his squad is ready for the pressure of the occasion and says the players understand exactly what is required.
“The players are motivated and well prepared. Everyone understands what is at stake, and we are working hard to get the result that will take us into the next round of the competition,” he added.
Nigeria’s campaign has so far produced contrasting results. Their opening defeat by Malawi represented a major setback for a side with nine African titles to its name, but the victory over Zambia restored some momentum.
The Super Falcons now have the opportunity to complete their recovery by securing the result they need against Egypt.
Madugu’s emphasis on controlling Nigeria’s own destiny reflects the importance of the final group game. With Malawi already on six points and Zambia level with Nigeria on three, the Super Falcons cannot afford another failure to collect maximum points if they are to maintain their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.
The coach has also defended the continued selection of experienced forward Francisca Ordega, who has not yet appeared during the tournament.
Madugu said the contribution of a player should not be judged solely by whether they feature during matches. He believes experienced members of the squad can play an important role through their leadership and support of the team even when they are not on the pitch.
He also stressed that decisions over selection are made according to what the coaching staff believe is best for the entire squad rather than being influenced by sentiment.
For Nigeria, the immediate task is clear: defeat Egypt and give themselves the strongest possible chance of reaching the knockout stage.
Madugu says every decision made by the technical team is intended to improve the Super Falcons’ chances of success and ultimately make Nigerians proud.
The pressure will be high when Nigeria face Egypt, with the outcome potentially determining whether the Super Falcons continue their pursuit of another WAFCON title or exit the competition at the group stage.
After losing their opening game and responding with a narrow victory over Zambia, Nigeria must now produce another positive result in their final Group C fixture.
Madugu is confident his players understand the challenge ahead and are prepared to meet it. The Super Falcons’ focus is firmly on Egypt, with qualification now depending on their ability to deliver when it matters most.
