Nigeria’s Super Falcons may have suffered a painful WAFCON exit, but they still have our support. With a crucial World Cup playoff against South Africa ahead, it is time to rebuild, improve and begin the work of making our champions champions again.
Yes, Nigeria’s Super Falcons’ loss to Cameroon broke our hearts.
We expected more. The Super Falcons have made us hold high expectations with their success over the years, and so we cannot believe that this journey ended in the quarter finals.
But amidst the disappointment, there is something that I cannot forget.
These ladies are not failures. These are champions. They are the same players who have brought us joy severally and won titles for us, so we cannot just forget all of that so soon.
Life is filled with ups and downs. This is their downside, so we share the pain with them just like we share the joy which they frequently bring to us.
Agreed, we need a new era.
Of course, this is a wake up call for women’s football in Nigeria. Other countries have grown, and it is no longer a walk in the park as usual. We must work on this team.
I agree with the position of the majority of Nigerians that Coach Justin Madugu has not performed well. He met a more organised team, and what we watched at the 2026 WAFCON was a “disorganised group” on the pitch.
We need a new coach. We need new legs injected into the squad. We need fresh ideas and a clear direction for this team.
But while we demand these changes, we must not forget the players.
To the players, I feel your pain, but I remain proud of you and your position as the national team that has brought us the greatest joy ever.
Ten WAFCON titles is not Garri.
I know that no champion rules forever. There will be moments when things do not go our way. There will be defeats and disappointments. But what matters is how we respond.
Heads up, Super Falcons. We go again next time.
But first, let’s keep our heads and go through the World Cup playoffs process.
The work must begin after that. We must rebuild, improve and make our champions champions again.
The Super Falcons will face South Africa in a crucial FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification playoff on Thursday, August 13, 2026, with a place in the intercontinental playoffs at stake.
South Africa also suffered a quarter final exit at the 2026 WAFCON, losing 2 1 to hosts Morocco.
Both Nigeria and South Africa still have a chance to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup through the playoff route.
The two teams will meet at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, with kick off scheduled for 9:00 p.m. WAT.
The winner will advance to the intercontinental playoffs and have another opportunity to secure a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
For the Super Falcons, this is another important test.
The Cameroon defeat hurt us. It broke our hearts.
But we are still with you.
The pain is ours, the disappointment is ours, but the work must also be ours.
