'No easy teams' – Madugu insists 'no minnows' as Super Falcons target new world record

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Nigeria coach Justin Madugu has stressed that there are no easy opponents at the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations ahead of his side's opening game of the competition against Tunisia on Sunday evening at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

Talk in Nigeria continues to centre around 'Mission X'—the Super Falcons' ambitious push to set a new world record as the national team with the most continental titles. 

Nigeria, the most successful team in Wafcon history, have claimed the African title on nine occasions — a feat that sees them share the record for the most continental triumphs in women's football with China (AFC) and the United States (Concacaf).

The Super Falcons will begin their Group B campaign against Tunisia, before taking on Botswana and Algeria in their remaining group fixtures.

Speaking on expectations from his team, Madugu stressed that every side in the tournament deserves recognition, having earned their place through a competitive qualification process.

He told reporters: "Everybody is entitled to his opinion. For me, or for us, we have respect for all the teams that have qualified. We need to show them that respect — they have all gone through the qualifiers.

"They did very well and that's why they are here. If you count the number of countries in Africa, everybody is not here, so for them to have gotten here, we need to show them that respect and treat them as people that have done something well."

Many pundits view the Super Falcons' group as relatively favourable, particularly with South Africa, Morocco and Zambia, the top three teams from the previous Wafcon, all drawn into different groups.

"There are no minnows as far as football is concerned in Africa. Looking at the results that were posted in the course of the qualifiers, we wouldn't consider anyone to be a weak team.

"Yes, some teams could be stronger than the others, but they cannot be considered as weak teams because they went through the qualifiers and won their matches to be here.

"Ratings sometimes do not actually give you a true reflection of what a team can present. So if you get carried away by the rating, you could be surprised on the matchday."

Madugu added that the Super Falcons will approach each game with the same level of seriousness and tactical focus, regardless of the opposition.

"It is what happens on the matchday that really matters, so for us there are no easy teams. We respect Botswana, Algeria, and Tunisia. We'll treat them with respect as we approach each of our games.

"We will stick to our game plan and see how it goes," he concluded.

Nigeria are one of only three nations to have won the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, alongside three-time champions Equatorial Guinea and South Africa, who won the 2022 edition. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com