Super Falcons coach Madugu fires back at critics ahead of South Africa World Cup play-off

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has come under intense scrutiny following the Super Eagles and Super Falcons' failure to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Super Falcons were eliminated from the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, in the quarter-final stage. They lost 2-1 to South Africa in the African play-offs.

This marks the first time in the World Cup's history that Nigeria, a founding member, will miss the tournament since 1991. The men's team, the Super Eagles, have not been at the World Cup since 2018. A sports administrator, Ayodeji Adegbenro, expressed his disappointment, particularly for the Super Falcons who had qualified for every World Cup since its inception.

Adegbenro also highlighted a worrying decline in Nigerian football, calling for significant changes within the NFF. The NFF president, Ibrahim Gusau, who has put himself forward for re-election, has faced strong criticism for the team's poor performances. While some believe Gusau should step aside, the bigger issue, according to Adegbenro, is the need to overhaul the NFF.

Will the fact-finding committee be able to deliver the necessary reforms? Adegbenro remains skeptical, fearing possible deflection. The solution to Nigeria's football woes, he insists, is a "hard reset" and a complete overhaul of the system.