The Nigeria Football Federation dismisses Super Falcons’ head coach
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has dismissed Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu and his entire technical crew following the team’s disappointing WAFCON campaign and failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has asked members of the technical crew of the Super Falcons to step down with immediate effect,” the NFF announced on Monday evening.
The decision comes days after Nigeria lost 2-1 to South Africa in a World Cup qualification playoff, ending the Super Falcons’ record of appearing at every FIFA Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 1991.
Nigeria had been forced into the playoffs after suffering a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The result denied the 10-time African champions one of the tournament’s automatic World Cup qualification places. Cameroon subsequently won the competition.
Madugu’s dismissal comes barely a year after he guided Nigeria to its 10th African title at the previous WAFCON. But his tactics and player selections came under increasing criticism during this year’s campaign.
The NFF has also established a six-member fact-finding committee to investigate the recent poor performances of Nigeria’s national teams. The committee includes former Super Falcons captain Desire Oparanozie and other former Nigerian football officials and players.
The federation has not yet announced who will replace Madugu and lead the Super Falcons following one of the most disappointing campaigns in the history of Nigeria’s women’s national team.
