Super Falcons miss 2027 Women’s World Cup after WAFCON loss, coach sacked
Nigeria’s Super Falcons were eliminated at the quarter‑final stage of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after a 1‑0 loss to rivals Cameroon on Sunday, August 16. The loss knocked them out of the tournament and, after a subsequent 2‑1 defeat to South Africa in the African play‑offs for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the team failed to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil—the first time since the Super Falcons’ inception in 1991 they will miss the tournament. On Monday, August 17, the Nigeria Football Federation instructed head coach Justine Madugu and his technical staff to step down immediately. Speaking with DAILY POST, pundit Saheed Afolabi blamed the failure on poor preparation: the team’s camp began only three or four days before the WAFCON, while players based in the United States women’s league arrived late because their season was still ongoing, and other players had been on holiday since May. Afolabi said the NFF did not use the available time to prepare adequately and entered the tournament with the mistaken expectation that other teams would be easy wins. He called the outcome a bitter lesson and an eye‑opener for Nigerian football. The Super Falcons’ absence from the 2027 World Cup raises questions about the future of women’s football in Nigeria and what changes are needed to restore competitiveness. Will the NFF overhaul its preparation timetable, ensure early camps, and provide better support for the women’s team so fans can expect a stronger showing at the next continental championship?