Will Madugu's Falcons Soar again?
Nine strikers, five midfielders; what exactly is Madugu cooking?
Introduction:
Exactly a year ago, the Super Falcons completed one of the most remarkable comeback in the 21st century as far as women’s football is concerned, scoring three second-half goals to clinch their 10th official continental title. The result was a double-edged sword that handed Morocco their consecutive home defeat in a final.
Now gunning for the 11th title, will the Falcons soar again?
There are two kind of Nigerian fans; those who believe coach Madugu is the man for the job and those who don’t.
Interestingly, both have their reasons.
To start with, people have credited coach Madugu for his tactical alertness to make the right subs (like he did last year’s final) and change the elements and pieces when things are not going as planned, but the question is, should the team be in such dire positions in the first place?
The last 12 months has been a roller-coaster. At Fervora, we went from writing an article titled;
Madugu’s Falcons score goals, to writing another one titled Madugu’s Falcons are not scoring goals and while the Super Falcons like most Nigerian sport teams are slow starters (thanks to next to nothing preparation every year), we might not have that luxury this year, with two quick matches against Malawi and Zambia; two teams with fierce attacking prowess.
Tactics or Vibes:
Coach Madugu largely relies on individual brilliance and cohesion of the covalent bonds existing across different clusters on the team.
Rasheedat Ajibade in the Pivot, Deborah Abiodun and Halimatu Ayinde in the centre, Esther Okoronkwo spearheading the attack with any other pair on either sides to support through the flanks. Echegini and Ijamilusi as Super-subs, Uchiebe to close out the game and some fringe defenders like Isah coming onboard at 90+1.
Sometimes, it works like the five nil win against Zambia, sometimes it doesn’t, like the drab draw against Algeria right before.
It’s been a while Super Falcons played with an identity or style that made us unique, formidable and highly unpredictable.
The Right players?
There has been a lot of questions about the squad selection. Why are players like Francisca Ordega and Sikiratu Isah included in the squad? Why was Nicole Payne not called up especially with the obvious absence of the veteran left-back, Ashleigh Plumptre? Why is Madugu and his crew not scouting for new players like his predecessor did?
Why do we have nine attackers and six midfielders (with more than half of them being attacking midfielders)? Who is leading the line in 2026, Asisat Oshoala or Esther Okoronkwo? These are important questions Madugu will have to answer over the next few days.
Let Madugu Cook:
A Sports Analyst, Ali Howorth said, the question isn’t who will win WAFCON, it is who will stop Nigeria from winning WAFCON?
The competition is getting closer from a continental perspective, Morocco has progressively developed over the last few years and the fact that they’ve made two consecutive finals while playing the most beautiful style of football is a signal to every other participant, including Super Falcons.
South-Africans have a stack of experienced players with Thembi Kgatlana, Hilda Magai and Refloe Jane, all who are probably playing their penultimate WAFCON and there are dark horses like Senegal and Ghana looking to make a stake in the competition thus it will be no easy ride.
But as the saying goes, Naija no dey carry last.
Super Falcons have the best squad on the continent, they have the experience, exposure, technical abilities and depth.
The big question is, do we have a coach that is smart to get the best out of these talents or are we going to rely on individual brilliance again?
Most importantly, are we going to play with enough confidence and cohesion that will make us a reputable World Cup candidate again?
Only time will tell.
P:S-
Editor’s note.
This article didn’t focus on the extreme incompetence of the Nigeria Football Federation, but it is not just shameful, it is also shambolic that the Super Falcons are being treated like second class seasons with next to nothing preparations. It should be noted that the ladies keep succeeding despite of NFF and not because of NFF.
We wish the Super Falcons the best at the tournament.