Nigeria’s Super Falcons could have a new technical crew before their Olympic qualifying campaign begins in October.
National Sports Commission Director-General Bukola Olopade has revealed that changes to the coaching setup are being considered as Nigeria prepares for the 2028 Women’s Olympic qualifiers.
The development follows the Nigeria Football Federation’s decision to ask the technical crew led by Justine Madugu to step aside after the team’s underwhelming showing at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
NFF faces a race against time
With the Olympic qualifiers approaching, the NFF now has little room for delay.
Olopade said the federation is considering adjustments to the Super Falcons’ technical setup, pointing to the importance of securing Olympic qualification.
He also referenced the decision to place the Nigeria U-23 team under coach Eric Chelle as an example of how the technical structure could be reshaped.
“The Olympics are around the corner, so we will look at how we can adjust the technical team of the Falcons, as we did with the U-23s. We are determined to qualify for the Olympics.”
A disappointing WAFCON campaign
Nigeria’s 2026 WAFCON campaign got off to a difficult start.
The Super Falcons suffered a 3-2 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi in their opening Group C match.
Although Nigeria progressed to the knockout stage, the campaign ended in the quarter-finals after a 1-0 loss to Cameroon on August 8, 2026.
The result marked Nigeria’s first quarter-final exit in the competition.
World Cup qualification also slipped away
The WAFCON defeat had consequences beyond the tournament itself.
Nigeria missed out on automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and were forced to pursue another route through the African qualification play-off.
That opportunity also disappeared.
The Super Falcons were beaten 2-1 by South Africa in the play-off, leaving Nigeria without a place at the tournament through that route.
Now, the Olympics
The focus has shifted quickly.
Nigeria’s next major challenge is the 2028 Olympic qualifying campaign, which is scheduled to begin in October.
The NFF must now determine who will lead the Super Falcons into that campaign—and whether a new coaching structure can restore confidence before the qualifiers begin.
For Nigeria, there is little time to dwell on Morocco. The next test is already approaching.
