Madugu warns Super Falcons that past success is not enough

Madugu has cautioned the Super Falcons that their historical achievements will not guarantee qualification for the 2027 World Cup. The Nigerian side faces South Africa in a decisive play-off on Thursday, August 13, at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

Nigeria and South Africa are competing for Africa's final qualification spot following their exits from the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-finals. Nigeria lost 1-0 to Cameroon, while South Africa was eliminated by Morocco. Because the four WAFCON semi-finalists have already secured automatic places in the tournament in Brazil, this match serves as a winner-takes-all encounter.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Madugu noted that other nations are increasing their investments in women's football. He observed that this trend is evident in both match results and the quality of gameplay. He argued that Nigeria must acknowledge this reality and commit to significant development to maintain their standing.

Madugu emphasized that the team cannot operate in isolation if they intend to remain competitive. He stated that continuous improvement is necessary across various aspects of the game. He warned that victory is not a matter of magic and cannot be expected if the team fails to match the efforts of their competitors.

For the ten-time African champions, the stakes are high. Nigeria has a consistent record of appearing at the Women's World Cup, and failing to qualify for the 2027 edition would represent a major setback for the program.