Man on the Cusp of History: Justin Madugu, Super Falcons Interim Coach

From Harry Awurumibe in Rabat

Today in Rabat, the administrative capital of Morocco, one man will carry the weight of over 200 million Nigerians at home and diaspora on his “small” head as he will be seen pacing up and down the technical area of Olympic Stadium Rabat, the venue of the 13th CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 final between Nigeria’s Super Falcons and Atlas Lionesses of Morocco.

In fact, Madugu has his work cut out for him as he navigates his way through the big match which has attracted global attention as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is envisaging a record global television viewership when the match kicks off in Rabat this night.

MEET SUPER FALCONS NEW GAFFER

When Justin Madugu was on Thursday, September 28, 2024, recommended by the Technical and Development Sub-Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) recommended to the Executive Committee head by Ibrahim Musa Gusau, to take over as the interim head coach of the Super Falcons, not many Nigerians even the sporting press know his pedigree on the touchline.

His appointment came after the expiration of the United States-born ex-manager of Super Falcons Randy Waldrum’s contract, after the team’s series of shambolic outing, especially in the last edition of WAFCON 2022 and in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Madugu, who was an assistant to Waldrum, was tasked to lead the team along with the current backroom staff made up of Ann Agumanu-Chiejine and goalkeeper trainer Auwwal Makwalla pending the appointment of a permanent head coach.

This marked Madugu’s return to the role, having previously served as head coach whenever Waldrum went on AWOL after having disputes with NFF, although the American coach returned to guide the Super Falcons through the final stage of Olympic qualification.

MADUGU’S COACHING/EDUCATIONAL CAREER

The 61-year-old Justin Madugu, is a seasoned football coach with a rich background in both national and club football in Nigeria.

A former footballer himself, Madugu, holds the prestigious CAF A and B coaching licenses. He also earned a distinction in coaching from the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Lagos after completing a Diploma in 1995.

His other academic qualifications include multiple Master’s Degrees: an MSc in Sports Psychology and Sports Management from El-Roi London University, an MSc in Public Administration from the National Open University (NOUN), and other diplomas in Public Administration and Library Science from Bayero University, Kano.

HIS EXPERIENCES

Justin Madugu has a wealth of experience coaching various club teams in Nigeria.

His career highlights include working as Chief Coach for Flying Makwada FC Numan, Adamawa United FC, and FC Taraba. Madugu also served as a Technical Adviser and Team Manager for Makwada Warriors and Makwada Queens.

MADUGU’S NATIONAL TEAM COACHING EXPERIENCE

Justin Madugu’s national team coaching career spans over a decade as he was appointed Assistant Coach of the Nigeria U-20 women’s team in 2007, before moving to the Super Eagles B team in 2009.

He later returned to women’s football setting to served as Assistant Coach for the Nigeria U-17 women’s team (Flamingos) from 2009 to 2010.

However, since 2012, Madugu has been a recurring decimal as he has been a part of the Super Falcons’ coaching staff, only being absent in 2016, 2017, and 2020.

CHAMPIONSHIP COACH

Justin Madugu has had an extensive international experience, particularly in women’s football as he has participated in four WAFCON tournaments as an assistant coach, winning two Gold medals and securing two fourth-place finishes.

The Adamawa-born football tactician has also coached in the 2020 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago and the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Chile, where Nigeria reached the quarter-finals in both events.

Furthermore, Madugu was part of the Super Falcons’ coaching staff during the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cups, the 2018 African Mini-Football Championship in Libya, and the WAFU-B Cup, which Nigeria won in 2019.

Madugu’s most recent role with the Super Falcons involved leading the team in their two-legged Olympic qualifiers against Ethiopia and the WAFCON qualifiers against Cape Verde when ex-coach Waldrum stayed away from four matches even when he was still under contract with Nigeria.

Now, Madugu has got his wish to lead the Super Falcons, a team that knows how to win tournaments and it will be a big surprise if he does not lead Nigeria to victory over Morocco today to be amongst the Super Falcons head coaches who won the WAFCON title in their first competition.

Yes, Madugu can as of the nine times Nigeria has lifted the coveted WAFCON trophy, Nigeria-born coaches have won eight times with coach Dennerby, the only expatriate to win it for Nigeria.