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Mission X: We are focused on lifting the trophy - Madugu
Coach Justine Madugu says Nigeria’s Super Falcons have not come this far at the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations to think of anything but reclaiming the trophy they have won a total of nine times out of the previous 12 championships.
The Super Falcons, one of only seven teams to have featured at every single edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals since the competition was launched in 1991, saw off the challenge of gutsy Cup-holders Banyana Banyana of South Africa in Tuesday’s second semi final, thanks to an eye-widening cross-cum-floater goal by defender Michelle Alozie in added time.
“We thank God for making it to the final. I want to assure you that we are not going to relent or take our eyes off the ball. Our focus is on lifting the trophy in Rabat on Saturday,” Madugu said as the nine-time champions packed their bags to leave Morocco’s industrial and economic capital, Casablanca, on Wednesday afternoon.
“We knew South Africa, as Cup holders, would be difficult but we were ready for them. I am glad that our tactics paid off. As I said before the tournament, we will always assess the opposition first and then determine what tactics would suit us better and serve our purpose. We have done these in our previous five games and we will do the same in the final.”
Nigeria go up against hosts Morocco at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat from 9pm on Saturday night, in what has been labelled as the most-anticipated match of the 13th Women AFCON – a clash of the dominant power and one of the emerging powers of women’s football on the continent.
It is the second time in 17 months that Nigeria will confront the host nation in a major continental final (the Super Eagles faced hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the men’s AFCON in Abidjan in February 2024), with South Africa as the stepping stone in the previous hurdle.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade’s on-field elegance, team-carrying role and resoluteness have found ample support from the rapid pace and energy of Folasade Ijamilusi, the attacking potency of Chinwendu Ihezuo, the vibrancy and spiritedness of Esther Okoronkwo and Jennifer Echegini, the attack-minded play of defender Ashleigh Plumptre, and the near-impregnability of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie (Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year back-to-back).
Nigeria’s tally has been an impressive 11 goals for and one against – a penalty scored by Linda Motlhalo as the Banyana vainly sought a way back into the game in Tuesday’s semi final in Casablanca.
It is a long way and many days from 17 October 1998, when the Falcons hammered the Lionesses 8-0 in a group phase match in Kaduna, at the inaugural edition of what was then known as the African Women Championship. Nkiru Okosieme, Patience Avre and Rita Nwadike weighed in with a brace each, while Mercy Akide and Florence Omagbemi scored one each. Two years later, at the second edition hosted by South Africa, the Falcons again whipped the Lionesses, this time 6-0, with a brace each by the fabulous Mercy Akide and Kikelomo Ajayi, and one each Maureen Madu and Nwadike.
Yet, three years ago, as hosts, the Lionesses got one up on the Falcons – winning their semi final clash on penalty shootout after a 1-1 drawin regulation and extra time.
Morocco’s rise to this fresh height (dining at the table of Empresses) has been nothing if not meteoric. From high-margin maulings in the nineties and noughties, the Lionesses have reached back-to-back Women AFCON final matches with eye-catching performances, spring in their steps, confidence in their gait and esteem in their comportment.
Saturday’s final is guaranteed to be played in front of a capacity crowd at the Olympic Stadium – a fitting showcase to the rising profile and steady progress of women’s football on the African continent.
Meanwhile, Mission X is still on course.
Nigeria’s captain Ajibade bounces towards Player of the Tournament award
Three years ago, Rasheedat Ajibade was a sombre figure as she left the pitch at the Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca as she was handed a red card for a professional foul against a Moroccan player in the first semi final match of the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations.
A team-mate, midfielder Halimatu Ayinde also got a red card, forcing Nigeria to prosecute large parts of the second half and the extra-time period with only nine players. As a consequence, both players were rendered ineligible for the third place, which Nigeria lost by the odd goal to Zambia.
Images from that encounter are what Ajibade wants banished as the Falcons and the Lionesses clash in the final at Rabat’s Stadium on Saturday.
Fast forward to July 2025, and Ajibade, captain of Nigeria, is standing tall and proud, and continues to be the cynosure as the Super Falcons march assuredly to the Championship Match and with iron determination and resoluteness to accomplish Mission X.
Team-mate Esther Okoronkwo won the Woman of the Match award when Nigeria trashed Tunisia 3-0 in their opening match at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, but the one they call ‘Rash’ took over from there, winning the awards against Botswana, Zambia and South Africa, and looking in command to pluck the Player of the Tournament diadem on Saturday night.
Just before the commencement of the championship, Ajibade, who ploughed through the full gamut of the Nigeria women’s teams, said at a webinar organized by the Confederation of African Football: “For us, effort is everything. We’ll demonstrate what we’re capable of and continue to build on our existing strengths. We have an incredible group of talented players. We’re all excited to be here. We know it won’t be easy but we’re committed to showing up as our best selves.”
The lithe and self-effacing Nigeria leader is also highly motivated by the fact that the Super Falcons have never lost a final match at the Women AFCON, going back to the first competition that Nigeria hosted in 1998.
“We know pedigree and past achievements mean little in a match of this nature, but records also serve to encourage and inspire people and groups to go all out when it matters most,” Ajibade said.
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