The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has ordered the Super Falcons’ technical crew to step down with immediate effect following the team’s disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The decision was announced by the NFF Executive Committee on Monday.

“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 federation said.

The move comes after the Super Falcons failed to live up to expectations in Morocco, where they entered the tournament seeking a record-extending 11th WAFCON title.

Nigeria suffered a shock defeat to debutants Malawi at the start of their Group C campaign, although Malawi went on to produce an impressive run that took them all the way to the final.

The Super Falcons were eventually eliminated by Cameroon in the quarter-finals after failing to win their group. The defeat ended Nigeria’s hopes of securing an automatic qualification ticket for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Nigeria was then given another chance to book its place at the World Cup through the playoff route but suffered another setback against South Africa. The Super Falcons lost 2-1, leaving the country facing the possibility of missing the Women’s World Cup for the first time.

The disappointing results have raised fresh questions about the direction of women’s football in Nigeria, particularly as other African countries continue to strengthen their teams and invest more heavily in the women’s game.

Cameroon, which defeated Malawi in the WAFCON final on Sunday to claim its first continental title, has emerged as one of the countries making significant progress. Morocco has also increased its investment in women’s football, while Algeria, Ghana and Malawi have continued to make noticeable improvements.

For Nigeria, the latest setback has exposed concerns that the country’s traditional dominance of African women’s football can no longer be taken for granted. The Super Falcons have for years depended heavily on players developed or based abroad, a situation critics say has helped the team maintain its competitiveness despite weaknesses in the domestic football structure.

Just days ago, former Super Falcons striker Desire Oparanozie had called for a major review of the team and its football system.

He called for “a fresh start – a start that evaluates everything”.

Her call came as the NFF moved to establish a fact-finding committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the team’s disappointing performance.

The technical crew was headed by Justin Madugu, who had been involved in the coaching set-up alongside other assistants and backroom staff.

Recall that the NFF appointed Madugu and Edwin Okon to the Super Falcons technical crew in November 2021 as part of efforts to reorganise the team’s coaching structure.

Nigeria’s preparations for the WAFCON had also suffered a setback after a planned friendly against Ghana’s Black Queens was cancelled shortly before the tournament.

POLITICS NIGERIA reported in July that the match, scheduled for July 18 in Casablanca, was called off due to what the Super Falcons described as “unforeseen circumstances.”

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has ordered the Super Falcons’ technical crew to step down with immediate effect following the team’s disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The decision was announced by the NFF Executive Committee on Monday.

“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 federation said.

The move comes after the Super Falcons failed to live up to expectations in Morocco, where they entered the tournament seeking a record-extending 11th WAFCON title.

Nigeria suffered a shock defeat to debutants Malawi at the start of their Group C campaign, although Malawi went on to produce an impressive run that took them all the way to the final.

The Super Falcons were eventually eliminated by Cameroon in the quarter-finals after failing to win their group. The defeat ended Nigeria’s hopes of securing an automatic qualification ticket for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Nigeria was then given another chance to book its place at the World Cup through the playoff route but suffered another setback against South Africa. The Super Falcons lost 2-1, leaving the country facing the possibility of missing the Women’s World Cup for the first time.

The disappointing results have raised fresh questions about the direction of women’s football in Nigeria, particularly as other African countries continue to strengthen their teams and invest more heavily in the women’s game.

Cameroon, which defeated Malawi in the WAFCON final on Sunday to claim its first continental title, has emerged as one of the countries making significant progress. Morocco has also increased its investment in women’s football, while Algeria, Ghana and Malawi have continued to make noticeable improvements.

For Nigeria, the latest setback has exposed concerns that the country’s traditional dominance of African women’s football can no longer be taken for granted. The Super Falcons have for years depended heavily on players developed or based abroad, a situation critics say has helped the team maintain its competitiveness despite weaknesses in the domestic football structure.

Just days ago, former Super Falcons striker Desire Oparanozie had called for a major review of the team and its football system.

He called for “a fresh start – a start that evaluates everything”.

Her call came as the NFF moved to establish a fact-finding committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the team’s disappointing performance.

The technical crew was headed by Justin Madugu, who had been involved in the coaching set-up alongside other assistants and backroom staff.

Recall that the NFF appointed Madugu and Edwin Okon to the Super Falcons technical crew in November 2021 as part of efforts to reorganise the team’s coaching structure.

Nigeria’s preparations for the WAFCON had also suffered a setback after a planned friendly against Ghana’s Black Queens was cancelled shortly before the tournament.

POLITICS NIGERIA reported in July that the match, scheduled for July 18 in Casablanca, was called off due to what the Super Falcons described as “unforeseen circumstances.”