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NFF launches inquiry into Nigeria’s national-team struggles after Super Falcons miss World Cup
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has established a fact-finding committee to investigate the disappointing performances of the country’s national teams, with particular focus on the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The committee will examine the circumstances surrounding Nigeria’s early exit from the ongoing 14th edition of the Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and the subsequent defeat that ended the team’s hopes of reaching next year’s global tournament.
The Super Falcons, 10-time champions and holders of the Women Africa Cup of Nations, were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the competition. They then suffered a 2-1 defeat by South Africa in a play-off for a place in the Inter-Confederations Playoffs, which are scheduled to take place later this year.
That result means Nigeria will not compete at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The Super Falcons had previously appeared at every edition of the tournament since the competition began in 1991.
Nigeria have traditionally been regarded as the leading force in African women’s football, making the World Cup absence a significant setback for the national team. The NFF said the new committee would look into the wider difficulties affecting the country’s national teams, while giving specific attention to the Super Falcons’ failure to secure qualification.
Former NFF General Secretary Ambassador Fanny Amun, MON, has been appointed chairman of the panel. He will work alongside Coach Ladan Bosso, the former Nigeria U20 tactician and president of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association.
Former Super Falcons captain Desire Oparanozie, a multiple Women AFCON winner and FIFA Women’s World Cup player, is also a member of the committee. Former Super Eagles captain Mutiu Adepoju, an Africa Cup of Nations winner and FIFA World Cup player, has likewise been named to the panel.
The fifth member is Dr. Alex Mana, a former FIFA referee.
Mallam Mohammed Nasiru Sa’idu, chairman of the Sokoto State Football Association, will serve as secretary of the committee.
The panel’s membership is listed by the NFF as follows:
– Ambassador Fanny Amun, MON – Chairman
– Coach Ladan Bosso – Member
– Miss Desire Oparanozie – Member
– Mr. Mutiu Adepoju – Member
– Dr. Alex Mana – Member
– Mallam Nasir Sa’idu – Secretary
The committee’s formation comes after the Super Falcons’ failure to progress from the Women Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals and their 2-1 loss to South Africa in the qualifying play-off. Nigeria’s absence from the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will end a run of participation stretching back to the inaugural tournament in 1991.
