Former Super Falcons attacker Francisca Ordega believes Nigeria missed out on a direct spot for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup due to insufficient lead-up work ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The team’s pursuit of another continental trophy concluded abruptly following a 1-0 loss to Cameroon in the quarter-finals this Sunday. This result marks the earliest departure for the squad in the history of the tournament.
During an interview with ESPN, Ordega expressed dissatisfaction with how the team readied itself for the competition, noting that the stakes regarding World Cup qualification demanded better strategy. She emphasized that all participating teams entered the tournament with their sights set on the World Cup, making thorough readiness vital.
Ordega stressed the need for the team to process this setback and enhance their organizational approach for future engagements. Although this loss eliminated the chance for an automatic qualification berth, the Super Falcons maintain a path to the 2027 World Cup via a play-in match against South Africa this Thursday.
