Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has apologised to Nigerians and accepted full responsibility for Nigeria’s 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The defeat ended Nigeria’s hopes of retaining the continental title and ruled out automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, leaving the Super Falcons with the play-off route as their remaining path to Brazil.
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Madugu admitted the result was painful but insisted the players gave everything on the pitch and created enough opportunities to win the game.
“I take full responsibility for the loss and I apologise to Nigerians. We created a lot of chances, probably more than we had in any other game in this tournament, but we were not clinical enough,” Madugu said.
The Super Falcons dominated large portions of the encounter after Cameroon took the lead in the 19th minute, but Nigeria repeatedly failed to convert its opportunities as the Indomitable Lionesses held on for victory.
Madugu also rejected suggestions that promises made to the team by the National Sports Commission (NSC) had distracted the players during the tournament.
According to the coach, the team’s performance against Cameroon was in fact its best showing of the competition in terms of creating opportunities.
“The promises from the NSC were not a distraction. The players were focused. We played our best game, created the most chances, but unfortunately we couldn’t score,” he added.
Despite the disappointment, Madugu stressed that Nigeria’s World Cup ambition remains alive.
The Super Falcons will now face South Africa’s Banyana Banyana on Thursday, August 13, in a crucial CAF play-off, with the winner advancing to the FIFA inter-confederation play-off pathway for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Madugu said the team must quickly put the WAFCON disappointment behind them and concentrate on the remaining opportunity.
“We still have a chance to qualify for the World Cup and we will do everything possible to make sure we get there,” he said.
Nigeria’s record of appearing at every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 1991 is now at stake, making Thursday’s encounter with South Africa another high-pressure assignment for Madugu and his players.
