Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has rewarded Justine Madugu, the head coach of the Super Falcons, with N50 million and a three-bedroom bungalow for leading Nigeria’s Super Falcons to victory in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Super Falcons staged a remarkable comeback from two goals down to defeat the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco 3-2 in the final of the competition on Saturday.
Concerns were raised when Justine Madugu was appointed as the Super Falcons coach in September last year, as he lacked prior head coaching experience in international football.
However, the ‘gamble’ taken by the Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) paid off when the Super Falcons came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against the hosts Morocco at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, securing their tenth Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.
In celebration of Madugu’s remarkable achievement, Governor Fintiri hosted him at the Government House in Yola yesterday, commending the coach for bringing honour to the state and for his technical brilliance.
“It is a proud moment for us in Adamawa that one of our own has led Nigeria to victory on the continental stage,” Fintiri stated during the reception. “His technical intelligence and focus have brought honour not just to Nigeria, but to Adamawa State as well.”
Madugu expressed his gratitude to the governor and the people of Adamawa State for the warm reception he received.
“I’m overwhelmed by what is happening today. I thank God and the government of Adamawa State for this recognition,” he said. “When I took up this role, I viewed it as a challenge to prove that northerners, too, can lead at the highest levels. It was a personal mission to leave a legacy that will inspire respect for our state.”
