The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu and his entire technical crew with immediate effect following the team’s disappointing 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign in Morocco.
The decision was announced by the NFF Executive Committee through the federation’s official X account, bringing Madugu’s tenure to an abrupt end.
The Super Falcons entered the tournament as defending champions but struggled to reproduce the form that helped them lift the previous title. Their disappointing campaign eventually ended in the quarter-finals after a defeat to Cameroon.
Nigeria’s problems began in the group stage when the Falcons suffered a shock loss to tournament debutants Malawi. The team later exited the competition in the quarter-finals, marking the first time Nigeria failed to reach the semi-finals of a WAFCON tournament.
Beyond the early exit, the team’s overall performance attracted criticism, with concerns raised over preparation, tactical decisions, defensive organisation and the players’ inability to convert important chances.
Madugu also admitted after one of the matches that the team had been wasteful in front of goal, apologising for their failure to take advantage of key opportunities.
However, the biggest blow came after the WAFCON campaign when Nigeria failed to secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Super Falcons were given another opportunity to qualify through the continental playoffs but suffered a damaging defeat to South Africa. The result officially ended Nigeria’s remarkable record of appearing at every Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 1991.
The failure to qualify for the 2027 World Cup is considered a major setback for Nigerian women’s football and reportedly played a significant role in the NFF’s decision to dismiss the coaching staff.
The disappointing campaign was also reportedly affected by internal issues within the team, alongside concerns about tactical organisation and defensive mistakes.
With growing criticism from fans and football stakeholders, pressure mounted on the NFF to make significant changes to the team’s leadership.
The federation has now opted for a complete overhaul of the technical setup as it begins the process of rebuilding the Super Falcons.
Madugu’s dismissal comes at a crucial point for the national team, with the NFF expected to focus on appointing a new coaching team capable of restoring stability, improving the team’s performances and preparing Nigeria for future international competitions.
The immediate challenge will be to rebuild confidence within the squad and ensure the Super Falcons return to their position as one of Africa’s leading women’s football teams.
