"At 61, most top-level head coaches have nostalgic moments as they reflect on the high points of their topsy-turvy careers. But for Justine Madugu, who made the 2025 Ballon d'Or shortlist for women's team coach of the year after dramatically leading the Super Falcons to a record 10th Women's Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco in July, his managerial odyssey is only beginning."
"It could have been so different for the library science graduate of Bayero University, in the northern Nigerian city of Kano, who looked as if he would never get a crack at international management, after being an assistant coach of the Falcons for 12 years. The son of a Nigerian former army regimental sergeant-major, and the eldest of six children who grew up in Kaduna (also in northern Nigeria), Madugu did not get the ringing approval of his strict father to choose a football career."
"Because of my involvement in football, I was seen as an unserious person by my family, he says. But now it is the football man that is looked up to, to support the family. With a Wafcon bonus of more than $100,000 (77,000) due to Madugu from the Nigerian government, family demands will not end soon. But with a Wafcon trophy to defend in the first quarter of 2026, Madugu has little time to savour the triumph over Morocco."
Justine Madugu, a 61-year-old former library science graduate from Bayero University, guided Nigeria's Super Falcons to a record-extending 10th Women's Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco in July 2025. He earned a 2025 Ballon d'Or women's team coach shortlist nomination after taking charge following 12 years as an assistant. Madugu grew up in Kaduna as the eldest of six and initially lacked his strict father's approval for a football career. A WAFCON bonus exceeding $100,000 is due from the Nigerian government, and family financial expectations have increased. Madugu emphasizes forward focus and plans to return to Morocco aiming for an 11th WAFCON title in early 2026.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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