Go For Victory Against Cameroon – Madugu Urges Super Falcons Players
Head Coach Justine Madugu says the Super Falcons will entertain no holds barred when they take on Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses
Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu has urged the Super Falcons players to go for victory against Cameroon in the two friendly matches at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo on Saturday and at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta on Tuesday.
As part of their preparations for the Women’s Nations Cup, the Super Falcons will take on the Lionesses in double-header friendly matches.
Madugu has opened up about his expectations from the encounters.
He said, “Our objectives for these two matches include improving our game philosophy and tactical approach.
“We want to observe and assess the players in line with our philosophy. We are determined to improve the team’s coordination, team spirit and mentality towards winning the Women’s AFCON.
“Yes, these are friendly matches, but we must approach things with the right mentality, with the attitude that we want to win, and with the mindset that we are already at the championship.
“It will not be right for us to treat the games with kid gloves and earn results that will have an untoward psychological effect on the team going to Morocco.”
Madugu insists that the players understand the nature and size of the rivalry between Nigeria and Cameroon on the field of play and will approach the games with the seriousness they deserve.
He concluded, “We must ensure a positive mentality and keep to the game plan. It is important for us to use the games to underscore our preparedness for the Women’s AFCON.”
The Falcons and the Lionesses are no strangers to one another.
Most recently, the Falcons won a penultimate qualifying fixture for last year’s Olympics 1-0 on aggregate, courtesy of Esther Okoronkwo’s barnstorming effort at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, in the return leg.
The win sent the nine-time champions to the final qualifying round, where they faced South Africa’s Banyana Banyana. Rasheedat Ajibade’s solitary goal was enough to hand Nigeria victory.
The win helped the Super Falcons to qualify for their first appearance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in 16 years.
Madugu has invited an interesting blend of the old and the new, home girls and those plying their trade abroad, with captain Ajibade, multiple award-winning goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Osinachi Ohale, midfielder Christy Ucheibe and forwards Toni Payne and Francisca Ordega the old and wise heads that the younger ones can learn so much from.
The Super Falcons will be up against Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana in Group B of the 13th Women’s AFCON in Morocco.
SUPER FALCONS FOR LIONESSES’ CHALLENGE:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens); Morufa Ademola (Edo Queens)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lionesses, England); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens)
Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Josephine Mathias (Nasarawa Amazons); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Amarachi Odoma (Edo Queens)
Forwards: Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia); Olamide Bolaji (Remo Stars Ladies); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Emem Essien (Edo Queens)
Go For Victory Against Cameroon – Madugu Urges Super Falcons Players is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
