Super Falcons of Nigeria head coach, Justin Madugu, has warned his players against repeating the mistakes they made during the group stage of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), as they head to the quarterfinals of to take on Cameroon.
Madugu gave the warning after Nigeria booked a place in the last eight with a commanding 6-2 victory over Egypt in their final Group C match on Wednesday.
“It is a lesson for us to understand that African football has grown. If you make a mistake, you are punished, except you get a second chance,” the coach said.
“Now, we cannot afford to make the mistakes we were making at the group stage as we approach the quarter-finals. We need to put our best foot forward and tread cautiously.”
The victory ensured Nigeria finished second in Group C and set up a quarter-final clash with Cameroon in Casablanca on Sunday.
Nigeria’s qualification came at the end of a dramatic final day in Group C, with tournament debutants Malawi also progressing at Zambia’s expense. Nigeria, Malawi and Zambia all finished on six points after Zambia defeated Malawi 2-1 and Nigeria thrashed Egypt 6-2.
With the three teams tied on head-to-head points and goal difference, CAF applied the next tiebreaker of head-to-head goals scored. Malawi advanced with four goals, Nigeria had three, while Zambia managed two, ending the Copper Queens’ campaign.
