Justine Madugu, the head coach of the Super Falcons, has issued an apology following the team’s disappointing performance at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The squad, which holds a record ten African titles, saw their campaign end in the quarter-finals.
A 2-1 loss to Cameroon not only knocked Nigeria out of the tournament but also prevented them from reaching the inter-confederation playoffs. Consequently, the team will miss the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time since the tournament began in 1991.
Madugu claimed his players exerted their full effort on the field. He accepted complete accountability for the team’s unsuccessful run. During a post-match media session, he expressed remorse for failing to qualify for the World Cup and acknowledged that their efforts were insufficient for the challenge.
Despite mounting pressure and public calls for his removal due to the team’s struggles, the coach remains calm about his job security. He emphasized that serving his country was an honor, noting that his tenure included 19 victories and only four defeats across 28 matches. He maintained that he is not preoccupied with the threat of being fired.
