WAFCON: ‘Win or Nothing’ – Madugu Targets World Cup Redemption Against Zambia
Madugu says Nigeria must beat Zambia to revive WAFCON campaign and keep World Cup hopes alive.
Nigeria’s head coach, Justine Madugu, has declared that the Super Falcons have no option but victory when they face Zambia in their crucial CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) encounter.
Madugu said the team is determined to bounce back from its disappointing opening defeat and keep alive its hopes of qualifying for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Speaking ahead of the match, the coach admitted that the Super Falcons made costly mistakes in their first game, where they suffered a 3-2 defeat to Malawi, but insisted the players are fully focused on making amends.
“It’s win or nothing. We know perfectly well what’s at stake,” Madugu said, according to CAF’s official website.
“We want to be at the World Cup, and we will do everything to correct the mistakes of the first match.”
Nigeria heads into the fixture under pressure after the unexpected loss to Malawi, while Zambia enters the contest in high spirits following an emphatic 6-0 victory over Egypt in their opening game.
The clash is expected to be a stern test for the nine-time African champions, who must avoid another setback to remain in contention in the tournament.
A positive result would not only revive Nigeria’s campaign but also strengthen the team’s chances of securing qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, one of the major objectives set by the coaching crew.
Madugu expressed confidence that his players have learned from their opening performance and are ready to deliver a much-improved display against Zambia.
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