Justin Madugu admits ‘a lot of work’ after Super Falcons edge Senegal in friendly

There was satisfaction on the surface, but an underlying sense of unfinished business as Super Falcons overcame Senegal in a closely contested friendly in Ikenne.

Head coach Justin Madugu was pleased with the result, yet far from convinced that his side are where they need to be ahead of major continental duties.

The 2-1 win over Senegal offered valuable insight into Nigeria’s evolving squad, with goals from Asisat Oshoala and Toni Payne securing the victory. However, the performance itself left room for reflection rather than celebration.

Early control, late tension

Nigeria dictated much of the contest, showing the technical superiority and attacking depth expected of the 10-time Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions. Their dominance, however, eased in the closing stages, allowing Senegal to push forward in search of an equaliser.

The visitors grew into the match as it progressed, testing the Nigerian backline and ensuring the margin remained narrow until the final whistle. It was a reminder that even established continental powers are not immune to pressure when concentration levels dip.

Oshoala and Payne make the difference

The attacking quality of Asisat Oshoala once again proved decisive, with the forward leading the line with her usual authority and precision. Toni Payne also contributed significantly, reinforcing the depth available to Madugu in forward areas.

Their goals ensured Nigeria’s superiority on the scoreboard, even as Senegal’s organisation and resilience prevented a wider margin of defeat. For the coaching staff, the balance between efficiency and missed opportunities will be part of the review process.

“A lot of work” still required

Despite the win, Madugu delivered a candid assessment of his team’s progress, stressing that the friendly served more as a diagnostic exercise than a finished product.

“It’s a good result, and naturally, when you play any game, you always want to win,” Madugu told official54fx.

“This is a preparatory game, and the aim is to assess our readiness, test the strategies we want to execute in the competition, and give players the opportunity to showcase what they can do to provide us with more options.

“These are the matches we use to identify which players are fully ready for the WAFCON. It was not a bad game for us, but as you know, there is always room for improvement.

“Yes, we did well, but we know there is still a lot of work to be done.”

Eyes on immediate rematch

Attention now turns quickly to the return fixture scheduled for Monday, where Nigeria will again test their combinations and squad depth.

The coaching staff are expected to rotate and experiment further as preparations intensify for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.