The Nigeria Football Federation has sacked Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu and members of his technical crew following the team’s disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The decision was taken by the NFF Executive Committee after the Falcons failed to progress beyond the quarter-final stage of the tournament in Morocco.
Nigeria’s early exit also cost the team an automatic place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Falcons were subsequently given another opportunity to qualify through the playoffs but suffered a 2-1 defeat to South Africa, ending their hopes of featuring at the global tournament.
Confirming the decision, the NFF announced on its official X account that members of the technical crew had been directed to step down with immediate effect.
“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 stated.
Madugu’s departure comes just over a year after he guided Nigeria to a record-extending 10th WAFCON title in 2025.
However, the Falcons’ title defence was marked by poor preparation, internal issues and inconsistent performances in Morocco, culminating in the quarter-final defeat to Cameroon.
Madugu initially took charge of the Super Falcons as interim coach in September 2024 before being handed a two-year contract in October 2025 following his success at the previous WAFCON.
The NFF is now expected to begin the search for a new technical team as Nigeria faces the task of rebuilding the Super Falcons after missing out on the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
