Nigeria coach refuses to be overawed by Morocco counterpart

Nigeria coach Justin Madugu is faced with going up against a World Cup-winning coach when his side meets Morocco in Saturday’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final, but he insists he is sticking to his guns and refusing to be overawed.

Morocco are coached by Jorge Vilda, who took Spain to the 2023 Women’s World Cup success but was then fired soon after in the wake of the ‘kissing’ scandal that engulfed the Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales afterwards.

Vilda was then hired by Morocco and has led them to Saturday’s final in Rabat where they will attempt to win the continental title for the first time at the expense of a Nigeria side who have won a record nine titles and never lost a previous Wafcon final.

“We know it's not just going to be about going out on the pitch and playing, we must prepare for every scenario. We are fully aware of that. Experience has taught us many things,” Madugu told Friday’s pre-final press conference.

“We have our own game plans and we are sticking to our game plan, but also we know what we can expect from (the Morocco coach) tomorrow,” he added.

“I hope that the omen of never having lost a previous final continues tomorrow, however, we know all these scenarios are always different. Scenarios can never be the same.

“It will be a new scenario, we are playing against a top team and we know what they can do. We are also aware of the calibre of their coach and what they’ve all done to get themselves to where they are today.

Game by game. Step by step.
Now they’re 90 minutes from the glory. 🇳🇬#TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/hb0jsKr2j2

— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) July 24, 2025

“But, like I said, we believe in ourselves, we believe in our players, we trust what we are doing, and we’ll stick to our game plan,” he continued.

Nigeria have been far from impressive at times in the tournament, but conceded only once, when they gave up a penalty against South Africa in the semifinal in Casablanca on Tuesday.

“We have prepared as best we can for the final, although the interval between the games has been pretty short, so we’ve had to do our best despite the circumstances and we are fully prepared for tomorrow,” added Madugu.

“When you play in games like this, they always come with pressure, but you also have the desire, given that you’ve got to the final, that you really want to make it and you are going hard to try and get to where you want to be, the dream of carrying that trophy.

“Yes, we are preparing very well in all aspects … in all aspects … mentally, psychologically, whatever it is that we are anticipating, we are taking care of it,” he promised Nigerian fans.