By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Fully aware of the dare consequences of his team coming short again in Nigeria’s Game 2 against Zambia in the ongoing 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, head coach Justine Madugu has decided to refresh the Super Falcons start list, Prompt News reports.
Madugu is facing intense pressure to turn the team’s performance around quickly following a shock 3-2 defeat to WAFCON debutants ‘The Scorchers’ of Malawi and this defeat has sparked a mounting scrutiny over his tactics.
Fans and analysts have questioned Madugu’s team selection, player positioning, and overall attacking approach in the last match.
This is even as the gaffer defended his choices, stating that selections are based on training performances and opponent demands, while noting that criticism only emerged because they lost.
However, camp sources have revealed that the Adamawa state-born coach has taken a hard look at the overall performance of the team he selected against Malawi, accessed each player who started the game and the impact the substitutes made on the night to come to the conclusion that he has to ring a change in the match against Zambia.
Although Chiamaka Cynthia Nnadozie will retain her position in the goalpost, two out of three forwards who started in the match against Malawi will drop to the bench while Uchenna Grace Kanu who scored a goal and got a penalty which captain Rasheedat Ajibade converted against Malawi and Joy Ogochukwu Omewa will join Esther Ijoma Okoronkwo in the attack against Zambia today.
Also, midfielder Deborah Abiodun will return to the startlist to pair experienced battler Halimat Ibrahim Ayinde to free Ajibade who will return to her right wing play as Jennifer Onyi Echegini may play from the bench today.
Madugu may also reshuffle the back four to steady the ship and allow a player like Michelle Alozie to play in her natural position to avoid what happened in the last match, although it is not certain that the coach will give three unused defenders Glory Ogbonna, Sikiratu Isah and Rofiat Imuran the chance to start the highly-stake match against Zambia today.
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