Nigeria fans demand Gusau, NFF board quit after Falcons sacking

The Nigeria Football Federation has removed the Super Falcons’ entire technical crew, prompting calls for president Ibrahim Gusau and the executive board to resign. The federation announced the decision on Monday, directing the coaches to leave their positions immediately.

No reason was given for the dismissal, which came after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The failure ended the Super Falcons’ run of appearances at every edition of the women’s tournament since 1991.

Head coach Justin Madugu was among those dismissed, despite guiding Nigeria to a record 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in 2025. His assistants were also affected by the decision, leaving the team without the technical group that had delivered the continental crown.

Nigeria’s recent campaign began with a 3-2 group-stage defeat by Malawi, the tournament debutants. The defending champions then lost to Cameroon in the quarter-finals before South Africa defeated them in a play-off that confirmed their failure to reach the next World Cup.

The response from Nigerian supporters has focused on the federation rather than only the coaches. Posts on social media described the decision as an attempt to make the technical staff bear responsibility for wider failures and demanded accountability from the top of the NFF.

Some supporters specifically named Gusau and technical director Eguavoen, arguing that both should leave alongside the coaching team. The anger also reflects Nigeria’s broader football troubles, with the Super Eagles having missed qualification for the 2026 men’s World Cup.

The dismissal has therefore not ended the criticism surrounding the Super Falcons. Instead, it has shifted attention towards the NFF leadership, with supporters questioning why the board remains in place after the women’s team lost its long-standing World Cup qualification record.