Few had faith in a turnaround after a dismal first half, with one Nigerian news outlet even prematurely declaring Morocco the champions. However, Justine Madugu, the Falcons’ interim coach, had other ideas. His decisive double substitution in the 59th minute proved to be the game's turning point, culminating in Jennifer Echegini’s 88th-minute winner – a moment that crowned Nigeria continental champions once again.
Madugu, rightfully named 'coach of the tournament', didn’t just mastermind a miraculous victory in Morocco; he solidified his reputation as a tactician with an intimate understanding of the Super Falcons. His triumph was no accident; it was the culmination of 12 years of unwavering dedication to Nigeria’s women’s football, weathering its highs and lows from the shadows.
From Crew Member to Interim Coach and Now, a Winner
When American coach Randy Waldrum departed in September 2024, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) turned to Madugu as a stopgap solution, a temporary fix while they scouted for yet another foreign manager. But Madugu, 61, had different ideas and a clear vision.
Since taking charge, the Adamawa-born gaffer has presided over an impressive record, suffering just one narrow defeat – a 2-1 loss to France – while racking up 11 wins and two draws. His deep familiarity with the team, honed by serving as assistant coach in the last four WAFCON editions, proved invaluable. He was a key part of the 2014 and 2018 title-winning campaigns and witnessed the Falcons’ disappointing fourth-place finish in 2022.
This time, in Morocco, he exacted sweet revenge. His Falcons dethroned defending champions South Africa, halted Zambia’s meteoric rise, and, in a poetic twist, avenged their 2022 group-stage loss to Morocco by beating them in the final.
The Scholar Who Transformed the Falcons’ Mentality
Madugu’s tactical acumen was on full display throughout the tournament. When he made three halftime substitutions against Tunisia, despite leading 3-0, many questioned his judgment. But it was a statement: This was a coach unafraid of bold decisions, driven by a deep understanding of the game and his players.
His approach is rooted in a unique blend of education and experience. A holder of two master’s degrees (Sports Psychology and Sports Management) and CAF’s elite ‘A’ License, Madugu effectively blends mental conditioning with tactical discipline.
In Morocco, his calm demeanor and composed press conference appearances mirrored his astute on-field strategies. He demonstrated tactical flexibility by benching stars like Asisat Oshoala, strategically deployed dead-ball mastery to dismantle Zambia, and made a game-changing move by pushing Esther Okoronkwo forward in the final, a decision that yielded a crucial goal and two assists. The team’s newfound resilience shone through with late winners against Botswana (89’), South Africa (88’), and most dramatically, Morocco (88’), proving they never knew when to quit.
From Obscurity to Continental Glory: What's Next for Madugu?
Madugu’s journey to continental glory was not handed to him. He started in 1987 as a part-time coach with amateur side Fashanu Babes, meticulously navigating Nigeria’s football backwaters with teams like Adamawa United and FC Taraba. His breakthrough came with Nigeria’s youth teams — the Falconets (U-20) and Flamingos (U-17) — before he joined the senior team in 2012.
Now, after 37 years in the trenches, he has earned continental recognition and delivered a coveted trophy. The crucial question that looms is: Will the NFF reward him with a permanent job, allowing him to build on this monumental success? Or will they revert to their old habit – hunting for a foreign "big name" while overlooking the man who just delivered glory?