Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has confirmed receiving a new two-year contract from the Nigeria Football Federation, extending his leadership of the women’s national team until 2027. The announcement followed Nigeria’s successful qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Contract Details Revealed
Madugu disclosed the contract extension after guiding the nine-time African champions through their WAFCON qualifier. “I have been given a new contract from October 1, 2025 till October 1, 2027,” the coach stated in post-match comments.
Performance Concerns Addressed
Despite securing qualification, Madugu acknowledged the team’s subpar performance against Benin. “The draw didn’t surprise us because we anticipated a tough match,” he explained. “But I apologize to Nigerians for not meeting expectations. The Super Falcons always carry high hopes for both results and performance.”
The 61-year-old tactician added: “Every team experiences off days. We must view this match from that perspective.” He described the result as a necessary “wake-up call” for upcoming tournaments.
Looking Ahead to WAFCON 2026
Madugu emphasized the importance of improvement before the 2026 WAFCON tournament, which doubles as African qualifiers for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. “We’re not overly disappointed,” he noted. “This reminds us more preparation is needed.”
Qualification Match Highlights
Nigeria secured qualification despite a 1-1 draw with Benin. Defender Ashleigh Plumptre scored her first international goal in the 12th minute. Benin managed a second-half equalizer, but Nigeria advanced on aggregate score.
Madugu will now focus on strengthening the squad for the WAFCON tournament scheduled from March 17 to April 3, 2026.
