AFCON 2025
Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has given a hint on the player that could step in for suspended midfielder Jennifer Echegini in Nigeria’s crucial Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) knockout clash against Egypt.
Inter Milan’s new signing Toni Payne is in line to make her first appearance in the tournament against Egypt as replacement for Jennifer Echegini
Madugu also defended his decision to include experienced forward Francisca Ordega in the squad despite her limited playing time so far.
Nigeria will be missing two key players for the game. Echegini picked up two yellow cards during the group stage and will serve a suspension, while defender Oluwatosin Demehin is also sidelined after being sent off against Zambia.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Madugu said player selection comes down to tactical profile and a read of the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses, not sentiment.
“Sometimes selection of players is dependent on what you see or analyze the opposition,” Madugu told reporters.
“When you come up with your own strategy, who will be able to do this? This is what we have seen of the opposition; there are their strengths and weaknesses.”
“Who are the key players in that team, what are their strengths and weaknesses? How do we address and handle them?”
“You look at your own team: who can do this when you come up with a solution? Who will do this better?”
“These are some of the things that come into consideration before you select or pick players for every game.”
The Super Falcons coach also indicated that Payne is a strong option to fill the midfield gap left by Echegini’s suspension.
“All the players in the team are good enough; they all have different qualities and have their strengths and weaknesses,” he added.
“She is good to go; she has an opportunity, and hopefully she will also be part of the team, because we have players that would not be in the team tomorrow.”
Madugu was also pressed on why veteran forward Francisca Ordega remains in the squad despite not featuring at the tournament so far.
He insisted Ordega brings more to the team than what shows up on the pitch, pointing to her experience, leadership and influence in the dressing room.
“There are so many ingredients that make a team succeed. Even on the pitch of play, there are things you acquire in the games you play that you can also transfer to others,” Madugu said.
“If we still feel Ordega is not doing too well, we will not have brought her to this competition.
“We know the role most of them play, especially the ones we always refer to as the old ones in the team.
“If she was not doing well, she would not be here because there are other players from their own level that are not also here.
“As I said, there are so many things that happen in a team that make it succeed: team bonding, harmony, guidance, leadership and a lot of things that need to be taken into consideration.”
Madugu shut down suggestions that sentiment played any role in his squad selection, insisting every call was made purely in the team’s interest.
“There are no sentiments attached to it. We are the principal beneficiaries when a team does well.
“So, there are no reasons why we begin to do things that we know will not help us in any way.”
Nigeria face Egypt in their final Group C fixture, with only a win keeping their WAFCON knockout hopes alive alongside their bid to defend the title and also qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup next summer in Brazil.
