ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Nigeria Football Federation has asked Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu and members of his technical crew to step down with immediate effect following the team’s disappointing performances at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and their failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The NFF announced the decision in a brief statement on its official X account on Monday, confirming that the executive committee had taken the decision to relieve the entire technical crew of their duties. “The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has asked members of the technical crew of the @NGSuper_Falcons to step down with immediate effect,” the statement read.
The decision comes after the Super Falcons endured a torrid campaign at the WAFCON, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals following a 1-0 defeat to arch-rivals Cameroon. The loss marked a significant low for the nine-time African champions, who had been expected to challenge for the title.
Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup also suffered a major setback after the team lost 2-1 to South Africa in a crucial play-off, missing out on a place in the inter-confederation playoffs. The defeat meant the Super Falcons would miss the Women’s World Cup for the first time since the tournament was launched in 1991, a staggering fall for a team that had been Africa’s most consistent representative on the global stage.
Madugu, who had been at the helm since 2024, had come under increasing pressure following the team’s performances at the tournament. The Super Falcons, who have won the WAFCON a record 11 times, failed to live up to their billing, with tactical decisions and player selection coming under intense scrutiny from fans and pundits alike.
The NFF has yet to announce replacements for Madugu and the other members of the technical crew. However, the federation is expected to begin the search for a new head coach immediately, with the task of rebuilding the team and restoring its status as the continent’s dominant force.
The decision to sack the entire technical crew signals the NFF’s determination to address the systemic issues that have plagued the women’s national team in recent years. Calls for better funding, improved coaching structures, and greater support for women’s football development are likely to intensify in the coming weeks as the federation charts a new path forward.
For the Super Falcons, the road to redemption will be long, but the talent pool remains deep. With the right leadership and support, Nigeria can once again become a force to be reckoned with in African and global women’s football. The NFF’s next appointment will be closely watched as the federation seeks to restore pride to the green-and-white jersey.
