Madugu apologises for Super Falcons' WAFCON exit and World Cup failure

Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has issued an apology to Nigerians following the team's exit from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The 10-time African champions were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Cameroon.

This defeat resulted in a 2-1 loss to the Indomitable Lionesses, which prevented Nigeria from reaching the inter-confederation playoffs. Consequently, the Super Falcons will miss the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time since the competition began in 1991.

Madugu accepted full accountability for the campaign, stating that while the players attempted their best, the performance was insufficient. He noted that the team struggled with converting chances and suffered from defensive lapses. He explained that momentary losses of concentration and individual errors allowed opponents to capitalise on mistakes during critical periods.

Despite calls for his dismissal following the tournament, Madugu stated he is not afraid of being sacked by the Nigeria Football Federation. He described his tenure as a privilege and noted that he has managed almost 28 games, recording 19 wins, four losses, and four draws.

While the coach maintained that the players gave their all, he acknowledged that the timing of this defeat was unexpected and impactful. The failure to secure a playoff spot officially ends Nigeria's hopes of participating in the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.