JUSTIN MADUGU AND HIS COACHING CREW FAILED TO CONDUCT A PROPER PRE-MATCH ANALYSIS OF MALAWI BEFORE THE SUPER FALCONS FACED THEMJustin Madugu and his coaching crew failed to do a proper pre-match analysis of the Malawi team before the Super Falcons faced them. Cameroon defeated Malawi so easily because they studied Malawian football and understood exactly how they play. Malawi rely heavily on the strength, pace, and attacking threat of the Chawinga sisters.Most of the time, Malawi’s midfield and backline look to send the ball forward quickly to Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga. they are excellent in one-on-one situations and clinical finishers whenever they get a chance in front of goal.Cameroon’s match analysts and coaching staff did their assignments properly. they identified Malawi’s biggest strength, their attack and came up with a plan to stop it. that’s why the Chawinga sisters failed to score in the final.
The Cameroonian defence matched their energy, covered them well, and never gave them space to operate.Cameroon blocked almost every passing lane leading to the Chawinga sisters, and whenever the ball reached them, they were immediately closed down and tightly marked. they never allowed them to settle into the game.Now compare that to our Super Falcons. If we truly have match analysts, then they didn’t do their assignments properly. they should have identified long before the opening match that the Chawinga sisters were the driving force of that Malawi team. even when we conceded, the coach couldn’t come up with a better tactical approach to stop them.
That’s where you see the difference between a well-prepared coaching crew and one that isn’t. Coaches and their staff study opponents, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and make adjustments during games. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any of that from the Super Falcons’ technical crew.He was busy playing players out of position and didn’t even know his best starting XI, to the extent of keeping some of his best players, the ones who could get results for him on the bench.The Super Falcons need a better coach who isn’t sentimental, someone who can bring out the best in our queens and is tactically equipped to compete at the highest level.By Julie Sports
Joseph Akwagiobe is a media contributor from Cross River State, Nigeria, currently based in Abuja. He is a graduate of Microbiology and has earned several professional certifications across diverse fields, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and excellence.