Exclusive: Nigeria’s Justine Madugu Makes Ballon d’Or History, says Africa Now Rivals World’s Best in Women’s Football

Nigeria’s Justine Madugu says Africa is fast narrowing the gulf with the world’s elite in women’s football, as the history-making coach became the first African ever shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or 2025 Women’s Team Coach of the Year Award. 

Fresh from leading the Super Falcons to a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco, Madugu believes recent performances show the continent can now stand toe-to-toe with global powers and win.

The 61-year-old, who previously assisted Nigeria’s U17 and U20 women’s sides and featured in four WAFCON editions, 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2022, is named alongside England’s Sarina Wiegman, USA’s Emma Hayes, Canada’s Bev Priestman, and France’s Sonia Bompastor.

“It’s a great honour not only for me as a person but for our dear country,” Madugu told SportsBoom.com. 

“I don’t know if any other African coach has ever been nominated at this level in this category. To be nominated alone is a remarkable story. We thank God for it.”

“This is the first time an award of that magnitude is coming to Africa. It’s no longer a Nigerian thing or an African affair. I saw comments and reports from Europeans supporting us."

"I was baffled by it. If you analyse our games properly, I think people appreciate the kind input in the team. Those things may have accounted for victory in the final.”

A Landmark Nomination for Africa

Madugu said his nomination is not just personal recognition, but a continental milestone, and he believes the global reaction is proof that African football is being taken seriously. 

“Yes, in the entire continent of Africa, this is the first time an award of that magnitude, that recognition, is coming,” he said.

The CAF A and B Coaching License holders view it as a responsibility to uphold, stressing that the nomination is also a validation of years of dedication.

“It has set new heights and standards that we must try to do our best to ensure we live up to expectations. It is not easy," said the pioneer handler of defunct Nigerian women's side Makwada, where forward Francisca Ordega started.

“It is pleasing that people somewhere are watching what you do, and they quite appreciate the efforts you put in and the successes recorded so far. I quite appreciate that on the part of the organisers.”

Tactical Triumph Over Jorge Vilda

Madugu’s crowning moment came against the Atlas Lionesses handler Jorge Vilda, who was Spain’s Women’s World Cup-winning coach, in the WAFCON final at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. 

“It is special looking at the scenarios of who we are coming up against, but we also try to do our bit,” he said.

“We studied their tactics, what they do, the quality of their players, strengths, weaknesses, and what we can capitalise on to be able to ensure that we neutralise their strengths."

“Most of the games they play, they keep playing with different formations all through the group stage. They never stuck to one plan,” Madugu added.

“We really studied that because our knowledge of match analysis also helped in that regard, because I also did a course in that.”

Before then, the West Africans had recorded four wins of their five matches in Casablanca, with their only slip-up in a draw against Algeria, including avenging two WAFCON 2022 heartbreakers, Zambia and South Africa.

Those triumphs included cruising past Zambia in the quarterfinal, dethroning holders South Africa in the semis before completing 2022 revenge, stunning hosts Morocco in the final, where they upturned a two-goal deficit to claim the title.

The win, he said, was significant and has credited the players for translating the tactical plan. 

“He (Vilda) is a high-profile coach. Somebody who has just won the World Cup recently with a very good team. For us to come to his domain and get one over him is commendable for us as coaches," he continued.

“If you analyse our games properly, I think people appreciate the kind input of the technical crew, and then the players translating those inputs. Those things accounted for victory in the final."

Closing the Gap with World Powers

Madugu insists Africa’s progress in women’s football is clear as he believes more investment will yield even greater results.

“The gap between us and the more developed nations, as far as women’s football and sports generally are concerned, is reducing drastically,” he said.

“Given all the necessary backing that we require, I think we would record feats that would stand us out against all other continents and coaches across the globe,” he said.

The coach urged for belief within the continent as he sees the Falcons’ achievements as proof that African teams can compete.

“Other African nations should also believe in themselves as other nations believe in what we do,” he said. 

“We need our people to give us all the necessary support that we require, and the sky will just be like a starting point for us.”

“We fell so much that, given the necessary support, we can close the gap even further."

Madugu eyes on Paris

The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, where Madugu will hope to make more history. 

Other African nominees include Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Mohamed Salah, Achraf Hakimi, Barbara Banda, Serhou Guirassy, Yassine Bounou, and Temwa Chawinga.

“To our teeming supporters and those who wish us to win this award, I appreciate you,” Madugu said. 

“Win or lose, I quite appreciate them since this nomination was made public.”

For Madugu, the honour has already raised the stakes for African football as he feels the recognition is already a victory. 

“An appreciation of what we have done to earn this nomination is quite pleasing,” he noted. 

“I pray that their yearnings and aspirations are made a reality by ensuring that we eventually win the award too.

“This recognition is no longer just mine, it belongs to all of Africa. It shows that if we keep working, the world will keep watching.”