Cameroon friendly to shape WAFCON squad — Madugu News

Super Falcons Head Coach, Justine Madugu, says the upcoming friendly matches against Cameroon will serve as a crucial tool in shaping his final squad ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Madugu, who named a 25-player roster for the double-header against the Indomitable Lionesses in Yaounde, said the games would help his technical crew assess new options before the continental tournament.

“The key objective is to try and ensure that we improve on the team cohesion, and try as much as possible to look at new players that can possibly give us new options before the WAFCON,” the coach said in a pre-match press conference on Friday.

He added that the performance of each player during the matches would determine their role in his plans going forward.

“What the players will do in the game will tell us their capacity, how they fit into the team and what qualities they bring. We will then see how we can utilise those qualities and attributes to the team’s advantage so that we can have various options in our play.”

While acknowledging the importance of results, Madugu made clear that winning is not the primary objective for these fixtures.

“Naturally, each time we go out to play any game, whether friendly or competition, the expectation is always that we must win. It’s not different from the mindset of the team. However, winning is not the ultimate for us, because the major objective is to really assess the players, particularly the new ones, so we can see what they bring to the team.”

The coach also expressed satisfaction with the early signs in camp, despite only two days together at the time of speaking.

“Within those two days, I have been impressed with the level of understanding, cooperation and synergy of the players. The new players have been well accommodated by the more senior players, and we are doing everything we can to create a very conducive environment so they can have a sense of belonging and do their best,” Madugu said.

Camp had swelled to 24 players as of Friday, with goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defenders Michelle Alozie and Osinachi Ohale, and forward Chinwendu Ihezuo all checking into the squad’s Hilton Hotel base in Yaounde. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade and 16 others had earlier begun preparations, holding their first training session at the annex of the Stade Omnisport Ahmadu Ahidjo.

The first friendly against Cameroon holds on Saturday (today) at the Military Stadium in Yaounde, with the second fixture coming up on Tuesday, March 3.

Nigeria will compete in Group C of the 14th WAFCON, alongside Zambia, Egypt and tournament debutants Malawi, with their campaign opening on March 18 in Casablanca. All four semi-finalists will qualify automatically for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.