WAFCON 2026: Falcons Will Defend Title, Madugu Roars

By Saheed Afolabi

Nigeria women’s national team coach, Justin Madugu has boasted that the Falcons will retain the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title as defending champions.

Madugu led the Falcons to win the historic tenth WAFCON title while establishing the team as the first side to record the milestone in Africa.

The WAFCON 2026 is also a pathway for the World Cup qualification as the Adamawa born tactician said the team is focused to ensure qualification to the World showpiece.

“We are here for the defence of the WAFCON trophy and the team is fully ready and set to go,” Madugu said at the Prematch Press Conference in Rabat.

“We have a focus, we have a target, and we know what we really want to achieve. We are here to ensure that we qualify for the World Cup as well as retain the trophy we won last year.”

The 62 year old gaffer gave his commendation to the teams that qualified for the WAFCON while he insists that the Falcons won’t give room to underrate any sides.

Regardless of the mission of any team, He revealed, the Falcons will stick with their game plans and strategy coming into the competition.

“Every team that qualifies for this tournament deserves commendation and a lot of respect. Yes, they are debutants, but they are a very good side. We don’t take anything for granted.

“Everybody is coming here with a purpose and a mission, so you don’t undermine or underestimate what anybody can do. We have huge respect for all our opponents. We will stick to our game plan and our mission.”

Madugu further lauded the expanded 16 teams WAFCON format as he urges CAF to address the welfare of players and invest in capacity building for Africa coaches.

“It’s still work in progress. We still expect a lot to be done that will address the welfare of players, capacity building for coaches, and the development of more facilities across the continent so that the development is deliberate and we can catch up with other continents.”