Nigeria coach Justin Madugu confident ahead of 2024 WAFCON semifinals clash with Zambia

Nigeria women’s senior national team head coach, Justin Madugu has expressed confidence over the Super Falcons quarter finals class against the Cooper Queens of Zambia, in one of the most-anticipated matches of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Friday at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.

Nine-time champions Nigeria finished top of Group B in the 2024 WAFCON, making them the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals due to winning two straight matches before a draw against Algeria.

Heading in to to the quarter finals the Super Falcons now face an old foe from the 2022 WAFCON, in the Cooper Queens who finished second in group A.

Speaking ahead of the match coach Madugu, expressed confidence that his team has the antidote to counter the free scoring nature of Zambia.

“We have our strategies; we have watched them severally and we know what they can do. We’ll work on how to neutralize their strength, so we’re not too bothered by the individual players.

We know how good they are, but we’re not bothered. We are getting ready for each game, and we’ll have an antidote on the matchday.”

Meanwhile his opposite number on the Zambia bench, coach Nora Häuptle, stated that to reach the final their target is to beat any country that comes their way.

“We are in a comfortable position.

Whoever we face, we will be ready. If you want to reach the Final and win this tournament, you need to beat everyone.”

Zambia is no strange to Nigeria as they were victimized 6-0 in a group phase match in Namibia in 2014 and 4-0 in another group phase match in Ghana in 2018 by the Super Falcons.

However, in the 2022 WAFCON the Copper Queens bumped Nigeria in the bronze medal-match in Morocco.

There appears to be no easy road ahead again as the winner between Nigeria and Zambia will have to square up to the challenge of either the current WAFCON champions in South Africa or the exciting Senegalese ladies in Tuesday’s semi finals.

The Super Falcons will welcome back midfield ace Deborah Abiodun, suspended for the clash with the Algerians on Sunday.‎