Nigeria head coach Justin Madugu has called for focus and humility ahead of his team’s opening match against Tunisia at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, stressing that no opponent should be underestimated.
The Super Falcons, widely regarded as favourites to lift the title in Morocco, will kick off their Group B campaign on Sunday.
Despite their illustrious history and dominant record in the competition, Madugu insisted during the pre-match press conference that his squad must approach every match with caution and respect.
“We cannot underestimate anyone,” said Madugu. “If we look at the results obtained during the qualifiers, I think we should not consider anyone as a weak team. Some teams may be stronger than others but all of them went through the qualifiers, won the qualifying matches to be there.”
Nigeria, who boast a record nine titles in the tournament’s history, are often seen as the team to beat.
However, Madugu is refusing to let past achievements cloud the team’s mindset heading into this year’s edition.
He was clear in warning against complacency, particularly against teams who may not share Nigeria’s pedigree but have demonstrated grit and improvement through the qualification process.
“We do not take anyone for granted because we have won all our previous matches against them and think that it will be easy,” he added. “No match will be easy. We will approach them with all the seriousness they deserve and all the respect each team deserves.”
Madugu’s remarks come at a time when African women’s football is rapidly evolving, with several nations narrowing the gap between traditional powerhouses and emerging challengers.
“We are not taking anybody for granted”
Head coach Justin Madugu discusses the teams preparation and mentality ahead of our game against Tunisia 🇹🇳 .#SoarSuperFalcons #MissionX #WAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/clYs70yyWg
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) July 5, 2025
Tunisia, for their part, arrive in Morocco with ambition and momentum, aiming to make a statement against the continent’s most successful side.
Nigeria’s squad is stacked with experience and firepower, but the message from the coach is clear: pedigree alone won’t be enough. The players must earn every result with discipline and intensity, starting with their opening test against Tunisia.
As the Super Falcons prepare to launch their quest for a 10th continental crown, Madugu’s words serve as both a rallying cry and a reminder — respect the opposition, stay focused, and fight for every point.
