Head Coach Justine Madugu assured on Thursday that Nigeria’s Super Falcons are mentally, psychologically, and tactically ready to confront Zambia’s Copper Queens in Friday’s potentially explosive Women Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final encounter in Casablanca.
Nine-time champions Nigeria and rising African force Zambia will go head-to-head at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium from 5pm Morocco time (same as in Nigeria) in a high-stakes clash with significant implications for the balance of power in African women’s football.
“We are working on our strategies offensively and defensively, having watched Zambia play and having taken note of their strengths and weaknesses individually and collectively. We know the key players of Zambia that are being mentioned and the threats they can pose if they are given opportunities, so we have spoken to the players that they must be fully-ready.
“There will be no room for errors. We must be alert at all times and have self-belief and confidence, and be motivated to achieve victory as we get close to the accomplishment of Mission X,” Madugu said.
Victory on Friday will push the Super Falcons one step closer to securing their 10th continental crown since the Women Africa Cup of Nations (formerly African Women Championship) was launched in 1998. It will also solidify Nigeria’s status as the dominant force in women’s football across the continent.
The winner of the Nigeria-Zambia showdown will face the victor of the match between defending champions South Africa and Senegal in the semi-finals. On the other side of the bracket, hosts Morocco and Algeria will battle for a spot in the final, promising an intense finish to this year’s tournament.
