Nigeria’s head coach, Justin Madugu, has been named Coach of the Tournament at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), capping off a triumphant campaign in which he guided the Super Falcons to a historic 10th continental crown.

The 61-year-old tactician’s recognition follows a remarkable run that saw Nigeria go unbeaten, concede just one goal, and deliver commanding performances en route to reclaiming their status as Africa’s dominant force in women’s football.

Madugu’s rise to prominence marks a defining moment in his coaching journey.

Re-appointed as interim head coach just months before the tournament, the Adamawa-born strategist seized the opportunity to deliver silverware and re-establish Nigeria’s supremacy on the African stage.

Before taking the reins, Madugu had served in interim roles under former head coach Randy Waldrum and was a long-serving assistant coach, contributing to Nigeria’s WAFCON successes in 2014 and 2018, and their fourth-place finish in 2022.

In 2024, the Nigeria Football Federation handed him full control of the team — a decision that paid rich dividends.

Despite being relatively unknown outside the continent before Morocco 2024, Madugu proved his mettle with tactical brilliance and man-management skills. He blended home-based talent with foreign-based professionals, creating a balanced and cohesive squad that combined defensive solidity with attacking flair.

Under his guidance, the Super Falcons delivered emphatic victories, including a 5-0 demolition of Zambia in the group stage, a tense 2-1 semi-final win over defending champions South Africa, and a dramatic 3-2 comeback triumph against hosts Morocco in the final — securing Nigeria’s record-extending 10th WAFCON title.

Madugu’s “Mission X” campaign not only restored national pride but also solidified his place among Africa’s elite coaches.

 His previous résumé includes key roles in Nigeria’s teams at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Chile, the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago, and the senior FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2015 and 2019.

He also contributed to Nigeria’s gold medal at the 2015 All-Africa Games and their 2019 WAFU-B Women’s Cup triumph.

With continental glory now to his name, Madugu is expected to lead the Super Falcons into the 2026 WAFCON title defence and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Following back-to-back Round of 16 finishes at the last two World Cups, Nigeria is aiming higher — and with Madugu at the helm, the future looks promising.

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Despite Nigeria’s thrilling 3-2 victory over hosts Morocco in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the tournament’s Golden Boot was shared among three standout players — including Nigeria’s own Rasheedat Ajibade.

Ajibade, who was instrumental in the Super Falcons’ successful campaign, finished the tournament with three goals, earning her a share of the prestigious top scorer award alongside Morocco’s captain Ghizlane Chebbak and South Africa’s Hildah Magaia.

Chebbak, the 34-year-old leader of the Atlas Lionesses, also claimed the Golden Boot at the previous edition in 2022, where she was named Most Valuable Player. Once again, she proved her quality on home soil, but her efforts were not enough to stop the Super Falcons in the final.

Nigeria came from two goals down to stun the hosts in front of a packed Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Saturday, July 26, clinching a record-extending 10th continental title. Ajibade’s consistent performances throughout the tournament were key to the team’s success and her recognition as joint top scorer is a fitting reward.

The shared Golden Boot highlights the strong competition at WAFCON 2024. Still, it was Nigeria who ultimately emerged as queens of African football once again — with Ajibade playing a leading role in their triumph.

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Moroccan captain Ghizlane Chebbak has once again etched her name into African football folklore, claiming the Golden Boot at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a dazzling campaign on home soil.

The 34-year-old forward scored five goals during the tournament to secure the PUMA Golden Boot—becoming the competition’s top scorer for a second consecutive edition, following her earlier triumph at WAFCON 2022. In doing so, she becomes only the second player in the tournament’s history to achieve back-to-back top scorer honours.

Chebbak’s latest accolade adds another chapter to a remarkable career that mirrors the legacy of her father, Larbi Chebbak, a member of Morocco’s victorious 1976 Africa Cup of Nations squad.

While Larbi made his mark in the men’s game, Ghizlane has become a trailblazer in women’s football, inspiring a new generation of Moroccan players.

Chebbak wasted no time in asserting her influence at the tournament. She delivered a commanding performance in Morocco’s opening match against Zambia and truly stole the spotlight in the group clash against the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she netted a clinical hat-trick, showcasing her lethal combination of movement, technique, and finishing ability.

Even in games where she didn’t score, such as against Mali and Ghana, her leadership and influence were undeniable.

Whether through precise link-up play or her vocal presence on the field, Chebbak remained the heartbeat of the Atlas Lionesses throughout the tournament.

A Goal to Remember

Chebbak’s defining moment came in the final against Nigeria at the Stade Olympique in Rabat. Just 13 minutes into the match, she collected the ball on the edge of the area, controlled it expertly, and fired a low shot past Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to give Morocco an early lead in a match that would finish 3-2 in favour of the Super Falcons.

Though Morocco ultimately fell short, Chebbak’s strike highlighted her enduring class and big-match temperament.

A Lasting Legacy

By winning her second WAFCON Golden Boot, Chebbak has further solidified her legacy as one of the continent’s all-time greats. Her contributions transcend the pitch—she is a mentor, a symbol of progress, and a leading figure in the rise of women’s football in Morocco.

As the Moroccan Football Federation continues to invest in the women’s game, Chebbak’s impact as both a player and role model will resonate for years to come.

And with performances like those in Morocco 2024, the veteran forward has shown she still has plenty more to offer.

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