From FALCONS Coach, JUSTINE MADUGU
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have once again etched their names in African football history, not just by lifting their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco, but by showing what true leadership, tactical intelligence, and national spirit look like on the pitch. At the heart of this memorable campaign was Coach Justine Madugu, a man who started the journey without a formal contract and under a cloud of doubt. His appointment was met with skepticism. Could he deliver on “Mission X,” the ambitious label given to the Falcons’ quest for a historic 10th title? He didn’t just deliver, he rewrote the narrative.
What made Madugu’s triumph even more remarkable was how he built the squad. He handed 13 players their international debut, including several home-based talents many thought would not match up to the intensity of continental football. Not only did they step up, they became cornerstones of the squad’s identity. It was bold. It was risky. But it paid off. The Falcons were disciplined, aggressive, organized, and deadly in front of goal. Over the course of the tournament, Nigeria scored 14 goals, the highest in the competition, and conceded just three. Their ability to attack with flair and defend with discipline made them the most complete team in Morocco.
The defining moment came in the final against host nation Morocco. The Falcons were down 2–0 early, playing in front of a hostile home crowd in Rabat. But Madugu didn’t waver. At halftime, he delivered a calm but emotionally charged message, urging his players to believe and to fight for the flag. His substitutions were timely, and his trust in the bench unwavering. The comeback began when Esther Okoronkwo confidently converted a penalty to bring Nigeria back into the game at 2–1. Then the momentum shifted. Ijamilusi equalised with a composed finish, followed by Jennifer Echegini smashing in the winning goal to complete the turnaround. Both goals were brilliantly assisted by Okoronkwo, who played a pivotal role in the Falcons’ revival, earning her the Player of the Match award.
That kind of belief, resilience, and tactical bravery is what the Super Eagles of Nigeria are sorely missing today. Coach Eric Chelle, in charge of the men’s national team, is navigating troubled waters. After six qualification matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Eagles sit fifth in Group C with just 7 points. South Africa tops the table with 13 points, while Rwanda and Benin are above Nigeria with 8 points each. With only the group winners earning automatic qualification, and playoff paths getting tougher, the road ahead is steep and unforgiving. For a football-loving nation like Nigeria, the fear of missing another World Cup is no longer distant, it’s dangerously close.
Chelle has inherited a squad brimming with talent, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, and Wilfred Ndidi, to name a few. But talent alone hasn’t translated into results. The Super Eagles have looked disjointed, uncoordinated, and mentally vulnerable when tested. Defensive lapses, tactical indecision, and lack of on-field leadership have been recurring themes. Even in friendlies, flashes of brilliance have been followed by inconsistency. There is no clear identity, no dependable rhythm, and certainly no collective hunger, something the Falcons had in abundance.
The Falcons weren’t just a team of stars. They were a unit, a community. They functioned like a family on and off the pitch. Madugu wasn’t afraid to make tough decisions, including benching marquee players like Asisat Oshoala when necessary. His loyalty was to the system, not to any name. That’s the bold, selfless coaching Chelle needs now. Nigeria doesn’t just need a strategy, they need a shared vision.
When the Falcons returned home, their success was honored at the highest level. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hosted them at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Each player received the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) national honor, a N153 million cash reward, and a three-bedroom home under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme. Coaches and support staff were also handsomely rewarded with N76 million each. “We are very, very proud of you. The entire nation is proud,” the president said, capturing the mood of millions.
The goodwill didn’t stop there. Super Eagles stars including William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Leon Balogun, Lookman, and Joe Aribo donated N24 million to the Falcons, a rare, heartfelt show of respect. “They’ve done what the Super Eagles couldn’t,” one fan posted. “This team plays with pride and unity. We want that for the men too,” another wrote. Coach Madugu, responding to the love and praise, thanked Nigerians for their belief and called the success “a collective effort.” Many fans who once doubted him took to social media to offer public apologies.
Now, all eyes turn to Eric Chelle. With four matches left to salvage Nigeria’s World Cup hopes, the pressure is mounting. A win at home against Rwanda and a positive result in South Africa are no longer just expectations, they are obligations. Chelle has said, “We still have everything to play for,” and while confidence is necessary, execution is what matters most now. Nigeria needs more than hope. It needs leadership, urgency, and unity.
What Madugu gave Nigeria wasn’t just a trophy. He gave us a reminder of what’s possible when courage meets preparation, when a team is built on trust, and when a coach leads without fear or ego. The Falcons lit the way. Now the Eagles must find their wings.
Eric Chelle doesn’t need to become Justine Madugu. But he must learn from him. Because if the lessons of “Mission X” are ignored, Nigeria’s dreams of 2026 may fade before they even take flight.
By Benprince Ezeh
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