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.
For Cape Verde, the island archipelago with a population of just over half a million people, it's a double celebration after their men's team qualified for the World Cup for the first time. The women's team was only founded in 2018 and in seven years have enjoyed a rapid rise. As far as records show, no other team has progressed as quickly from formation to major tournament.
"I love seeing fellow NWSL athletes here represented in WAFCON. I think it is so important to see that African players are excelling in the NWSL, and then coming and excelling at WAFCON, just like Banda and Racheal Kundananji have shown."