The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has directed members of the technical crew of the Super Falcons to step down from their positions with immediate effect following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The decision was announced by the NFF Executive Committee on Monday after the nine-time African champions endured a disappointing campaign at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and subsequently failed in their World Cup qualification playoff.

NFF orders immediate resignation

Confirming the decision, the NFF said the technical crew had been asked to vacate their positions immediately.

“The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has asked members of the technical crew of the @NGSuper_Falcons to step down with immediate effect,” the federation stated in a post on X.

The development comes after the Super Falcons suffered a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, marking the first time in the history of the competition that Nigeria failed to reach the semi-finals.

World Cup hopes dashed

The quarter-final exit meant Nigeria lost the automatic qualification ticket for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The Falcons were subsequently required to go through the African playoffs, where they faced South Africa for another opportunity to remain in contention for a place at the global tournament.

However, Nigeria’s hopes were finally ended after the Super Falcons suffered a 2-1 defeat to Banyana Banyana.

The result means the Super Falcons will miss the 2027 Women’s World Cup, a major setback for the most successful women’s national team in Africa.

A disappointing campaign

The team delivered an unconvincing performance throughout the tournament, raising concerns about the technical direction of the side.

Their failure to qualify for the World Cup has now prompted the NFF to take immediate action, with the federation expected to begin the process of determining a new technical direction for the national team.