Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has revealed how crucial second-half substitutions inspired their dramatic comeback against Morocco in the 2024 WAFCON final.
The host nation dominated the first half, scoring twice to cap off their impressive performance before the break.
In response, Madugu introduced Rinsola Babajide and Jennifer Echeginni in the second half — a tactical move that turned the tide and helped Nigeria secure a remarkable 3-2 victory to clinch their 10th WAFCON title.
“We knew we could do it… When we were two goals down, we kept encouraging the players not to lose their self-belief. If they didn’t have mental resilience, they would have given up. We did a lot of talking at half-time,” Madugu said.
“We had a game plan, but unfortunately, what we wanted to avoid led to the two goals. That’s why we had to make the changes we made.”
