NFF begs Nigerians for crashing out of WAFCON competition.
Following the Super Falcons’ failure to secure automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has begged President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians.
The Nigeria Football Federation expressed regret over the Super Falcons’ setback at the ongoing 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, issued the apology on behalf of the federation’s Executive Committee, the Super Falcons and the wider Nigerian football family.
The apology followed the Super Falcons’ 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in the WAFCON quarter-final, a result that denied the defending champions direct qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Gusau acknowledged the disappointment caused by the result, noting that the Super Falcons entered the tournament with the hopes and expectations of millions of Nigerians.
«“We recognise the disappointment this result has caused millions of Nigerians who passionately support and identify with the Super Falcons,” Gusau said.»
According to him, the team also had the strong backing of the Federal Government and was expected to deliver a positive result at the tournament.
NFF apologises to President Tinubu.
The football federation issued a special apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing his support for Nigerian sports and the development of women athletes.
The NFF recalled the national honours, financial rewards, houses and reception given to the Super Falcons following their previous WAFCON triumph.
Gusau said the federation regretted that the team had not been able to repay the confidence and support of the President with the desired outcome.
The NFF also apologised to the National Assembly, National Sports Commission, sponsors, stakeholders and Nigerian football supporters both at home and abroad.
Super Falcons still have World Cup qualification route.
Despite the setback, the NFF said Nigeria still has an opportunity to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The federation explained that the Super Falcons can pursue qualification through the Confederation of African Football (CAF) play-offs, where two tickets are available, before progressing to the FIFA play-off tournament.
“We must now regroup, learn from this setback and focus completely on the opportunity that remains,” Gusau said.
He assured Nigerians that the NFF, technical team and players would work towards securing the country’s place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
NFF promises review of Super Falcons’ WAFCON campaign.
The NFF also promised to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Super Falcons’ campaign.
The review will cover the team’s preparation, technical planning, logistics and other operational areas in a bid to identify shortcomings and improve future performances.
“We hear the disappointment of Nigerians, we share it and we accept our responsibility. But we are not giving up,” the NFF president said.
The federation urged Nigerians to continue supporting the Super Falcons as they seek to secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup through the remaining route.
Different reactions have continued to trail the Super Falcons loss to Cameroon, as some Nigerians said the defeat is well deserved due to lack of adequate preparedness, concentration, while other believed that the Coach did not select the right players who could win the match.
Some of the reactions include “Make we tell ourself the truth we don’t deserve anything in this wafcon our performance has been poor from the beginning of the tournament woeful performance all through”. “The falcons no serious for this tournament since from first game”. “Super Eagles = No World Cup, Super Falcons = No world cup, U-20 Male = Probably No World Cup, U-17 = Probably no World Cup, What is happening to Nigeria Football in general.
