NFF Sacks Madugu, Super Falcons’ Crew After WAFCON Failure, World Cup Miss
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has ordered Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu and members of his technical crew to step down with immediate effect following the team’s disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The federation announced the decision on Monday through a brief statement on its official X account.
“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 NFF stated.
The decision followed Nigeria’s failure to secure a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil after a turbulent WAFCON campaign.
The Super Falcons suffered a shock defeat to tournament debutants Malawi in their opening Group C fixture.
Although Nigeria recovered to reach the quarter-finals, their campaign ended with a defeat to eventual champions Cameroon.
Nigeria were subsequently given another route to keep their World Cup hopes alive through a playoff against South Africa, but the Falcons suffered another defeat, ending their hopes of qualifying for the tournament.
Madugu had been part of the Super Falcons’ technical set-up since November 2021, when the NFF appointed him and Edwin Okon to the coaching team as part of efforts to restructure the senior women’s national side.
His departure now signals a major shake-up of the Falcons’ technical department, with the NFF expected to begin the search for a new coaching structure.
The development comes amid a wider period of concern for Nigerian football. The Super Eagles also failed to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The men’s team finished second in their qualifying group before losing to DR Congo in the African playoff final, going down 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time.
With both senior national teams suffering major qualification setbacks, the NFF faces mounting pressure to address the technical and structural challenges affecting Nigeria’s football fortunes.
The federation announced the decision on Monday through a brief statement on its official X account.
“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 NFF stated.
The decision followed Nigeria’s failure to secure a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil after a turbulent WAFCON campaign.
The Super Falcons suffered a shock defeat to tournament debutants Malawi in their opening Group C fixture.
Although Nigeria recovered to reach the quarter-finals, their campaign ended with a defeat to eventual champions Cameroon.
Nigeria were subsequently given another route to keep their World Cup hopes alive through a playoff against South Africa, but the Falcons suffered another defeat, ending their hopes of qualifying for the tournament.
Madugu had been part of the Super Falcons’ technical set-up since November 2021, when the NFF appointed him and Edwin Okon to the coaching team as part of efforts to restructure the senior women’s national side.
His departure now signals a major shake-up of the Falcons’ technical department, with the NFF expected to begin the search for a new coaching structure.
The development comes amid a wider period of concern for Nigerian football. The Super Eagles also failed to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The men’s team finished second in their qualifying group before losing to DR Congo in the African playoff final, going down 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time.
With both senior national teams suffering major qualification setbacks, the NFF faces mounting pressure to address the technical and structural challenges affecting Nigeria’s football fortunes.
