NFF Sacks Madugu After Super Falcons’ Poor WAFCON Campaign

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has relieved Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu and his entire technical crew of their duties following the team’s disappointing showing at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The federation announced the decision on Monday in a brief post on its official X account, ending Madugu’s tenure after Nigeria failed to progress far enough in the continental tournament to secure an automatic qualification ticket for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Super Falcons entered the WAFCON as defending champions and one of Africa’s leading women’s football teams, but their campaign fell short of expectations, with the team’s performance raising concerns over tactics, selection and overall preparation.

Nigeria’s failure to reach the required stage of the tournament meant that the team missed out on one of the automatic World Cup qualification places available through the competition.

The Falcons, however, still have a route to the 2027 World Cup through the additional African qualification pathway, meaning Nigeria’s World Cup hopes have not been extinguished.

Madugu had taken charge of the team after replacing Randy Waldrum and subsequently guided the Falcons to the 2025 WAFCON title in Morocco, where Nigeria came from two goals down to defeat the hosts 3-2 in the final.

That success raised expectations ahead of the 2026 tournament and strengthened calls for continuity under the coach.

However, the Falcons struggled to reproduce their previous form and their early exit from the competition prompted criticism of the team’s tactical approach and performance.

Questions were raised over Madugu’s tactical decisions, player selection and the team’s inability to impose itself consistently against strong opposition.

The coach had also acknowledged the disappointment surrounding the team’s performance and accepted responsibility for the outcome.

The NFF’s decision comes amid heightened scrutiny of the management of the women’s national team, particularly after Nigeria’s failure to take advantage of the automatic World Cup qualification opportunity provided by the WAFCON.

The federation had earlier moved to examine the factors behind the team’s poor showing, with growing calls from football stakeholders and supporters for changes to the technical direction of the Falcons.

Madugu’s dismissal now leaves the NFF with the task of appointing a new technical crew capable of rebuilding the team and guiding Nigeria through the remaining qualification route for the 2027 World Cup.

The development also comes at a crucial period for the Falcons, who remain Africa’s most successful women’s national team but face the need to restore confidence following a tournament campaign that fell below expectations.

Nigeria have featured in every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 1991. The team reached the round of 16 at the 2023 edition in Australia and New Zealand, where they were eliminated by England on penalties.

The Falcons’ next qualification challenge will therefore be closely watched as the NFF begins the search for a new coach and technical structure.