Nigeria Super Falcons Vs South Africa Wafcon S/Final Preview

I see Nigeria fans craving for something of a hat trick of revenge from the three foes who put Super Falcons to the sword in the last Wafcon.

To be honest, this angle never really crossed my mind before fans started stating it online.

Of these 3 countries, South Africa, Morocco and Zambia, I felt South Africa were the only ones who defeated us fair and square.

In the 2022 Wafcon group stage match against South Africa, the first South Africa goal came after a gracious passage of passes whilst their second caught us asleep on the wheel, yet to clear our head from the shock of the first.

We then, belatedly realised where we were and why we were there. But a late consolation goal was too little too late with South Africa running away 2:1 winners.

Morocco were never winning the semi final 2022 Wafcon match if not for the 2 VAR awarded red cards and the third place playoff match against Zambia from the same Wafcon was played with our players still protesting non-payment of bonuses by the good old NFF.

So, it’s South Africa I would like us to defeat fair and square too.

I think Madugu has his work cut out here. South Africa have rightly demonstrated that, if we the Super Falcons let our guards down, we will suffer, and suffer dearly.

Coach Desiree Ellis is the mistress of mind games. She is also a smooth operator as a coach. Her South Africa will not go down easily.

This is going to be war.

On paper, Ellis is arguably a better tactician than Madugu. She is a veteran of the women’s game as player and coach and she has been around the blocks.

Madugu, for his part, is a man on a mission. Americans will say ‘X marks the spot’. Madugu has this unholy obsession to mark his name on the spot where Super Falcons hits the X title.

And, to his benefit, he has ladies equally determined and an NFF surprisingly taking a leave of absence in jeopardizing his efforts.

Nigeria players want to avenge Afcon loss, South Africa players want a pound of flesh for missing out on the Olympics, both coaches want to be the last man or woman standing!

In the end, it’s going to come down to ‘a battle of wills and wit’. Ellis might be a veteran of the women’s game, Madugu is a coach who has learnt the ropes in the shadows, only waiting to come out into the light to show what he is made of tactically.

A very angry looking man, Madugu feels he doesn’t get the respect he deserves. Thrashing South Africa, a great team with a great coach, will definitely add a fresh ring into the chain of respect Madugu is building so far.

For me, I am slightly apprehensive!