The Nigeria Football Federation has parted ways with the entire Super Falcons technical crew following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Punch Newspapers reports.

The decision brings an end to Justin Madugu’s tenure in charge of the nine-time African champions after a campaign that produced Nigeria’s first ever absence from the global tournament since it began in 1991.

The dismissal comes barely days after Madugu insisted he was not afraid of losing his job despite mounting criticism of his handling of the team. Nigeria’s World Cup hopes collapsed in stages over the past two weeks, starting with a shock 3-2 defeat to debutants Malawi in the group phase of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, followed by a quarter-final exit at the hands of Cameroon.

The Super Falcons then lost their final lifeline in a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in the intercontinental play-off in Casablanca, a result that officially ended their record of appearing at every edition of the Women’s World Cup since its inception.

Pressure had been building on the coaching crew throughout the tournament, with former internationals and football stakeholders calling for accountability over what many described as poor preparation and tactical shortcomings.

Madugu had publicly apologised to Nigerians after the South Africa defeat, taking responsibility for the team’s failure to convert chances and for defensive lapses that proved costly at key moments. He had maintained that he was prepared to accept whatever decision the football authorities reached regarding his position.

The Nigeria Football Federation had already moved to address the fallout from the tournament by setting up a fact-finding committee chaired by Ambassador Fanny Amun to investigate the country’s recent run of disappointing results across its national teams, with particular focus on the Super Falcons’ World Cup miss. Former Super Falcons forward Desire Oparanozie, ex-internationals Ladan Bosso and Mutiu Adepoju, along with Dr Alex Mana, were named as members of the panel.

The sacking adds to a difficult period for Nigerian football administration, which has also faced criticism over the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 men’s World Cup. Attention will now turn to who the NFF appoints to rebuild the Super Falcons and lead the team’s campaign to secure qualification through alternative routes for future tournaments.