The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has apologised to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians following the Super Falcons’ failure to secure automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, completesports.com reports.
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, in a statement on behalf of the federation’s Executive Committee, the Super Falcons and the Nigerian football family, expressed regret over the outcome.
Gusau acknowledged the disappointment caused, stating that the Super Falcons entered this year’s tournament with the hopes of the country.
How Super Falcons Lost To Cameroon
The Super Falcons lost 1-0 to Cameroon in Sunday’s quarterfinals, thereby missing out on automatic qualification to the World Cup.
A 20th minute free-kick sealed the win for the Cameroonians, who joined hosts Morocco, debutants Malawi and Algeria as the four automatic qualifiers for the World Cup.
However, the 10-time champions can still qualify via the intercontinental playoff, but will have to beat South Africa in a play-in on Thursday in Morocco.
“The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, on behalf of the NFF Executive Committee, the Super Falcons and the entire Nigerian football family, wishes to express our deepest regrets, and sincere apologies to the Government and people of Nigeria following the Super Falcons’ failure to secure a direct qualification ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the ongoing 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations,” Gusau wrote.
“We recognise the disappointment this result has caused millions of Nigerians who passionately support and identify with the Super Falcons. The team went into the competition carrying the hopes of the nation and the enormous goodwill and support of the Federal Government, and we regret that we were unable to deliver the result expected at this stage. We wish to extend a special and heartfelt apology to His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for this disappointment.
Also Read: Oshoala: Super Falcons Ready To Fight For World Cup Ticket
“Mr. President has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to Nigerian sports and, particularly, to the development and welfare of women in sports. The football family will not forget the unprecedented recognition and rewards extended to the Super Falcons following their previous WAFCON triumph, including substantial financial rewards, national honours, houses and an extraordinary reception.
“His administration has also continued to support and reward excellence across Nigerian football, including the Super Eagles. These gestures went beyond material rewards; they demonstrated the value Mr. President places on our athletes and his belief in the power of sports to unite and inspire Nigerians.
“It is therefore with genuine humility and regret that we acknowledge that we have not been able to repay that confidence with the outcome expected at this stage of the competition. We sincerely apologise to Mr. President and deeply appreciate his continued interest, encouragement and investment in Nigerian football. We also apologise to the National Assembly, the National Sports Commission, our sponsors, stakeholders and, most importantly, the millions of Nigerian supporters at home and around the world.”
“To everyone who prayed, encouraged, travelled, watched and stood behind the Super Falcons, we share your disappointment. A window of opportunity remains through the CAF play-off pathway, and the Super Falcons are determined to fight for one of the two available CAF play-off tickets and subsequently pursue qualification through the FIFA play-off tournament.”
All Hopes Not Lost
Gusau stated that they must now regroup, learn from this setback and focus completely on the opportunity that remains (which is the playoffs) noting that the NFF, technical team and players are committed to doing everything within their power to secure Nigeria’s place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
He added that the NFF will also undertake an honest assessment of preparation, technical planning, logistics and overall operations, with a determination to identify areas requiring improvement and ensure that the team is better prepared for the challenges ahead.
By James Agberebi
10 Comments
Kindly resign and leave our football alone. It’s high time chairman Segun or Mike Emenalo steps up let us see what they can do. Or Honorable CEO of Beyond Limits Football Academy.
Nigeria football needs experts and not unreliable people that does not understand football. Media house and every football lovers must join hands to save our sports else will not be going to any tournaments very soon.
Ibrahim Gusau!!!! The man with a failure mentality. he told his personal assistant to write love letter to BAT and millions of Nigerians.
it is well with our soul. No re-election sir.
goodbye!!!.
Do you people have no shame at all?
Why, in Africa, if you fail to deliver, can’t you resign?
Apology is not accepted.
Just resign period. Madugu and the entire NFF board must go, period.
Ire o. God bless Nigeria
This so called nff are killing our football, this is unacceptable they all need to leave that office for those that can save our football.
There is totally nothing to write home about this nff board they have failed us badly
Our u20male team is also not going to the world cup.
Under this administration we have witness the downfall of the golden eaglet
The super eagles also have not been performing so well under this administration
I wish they can all be sacked they know nothing about football
They are killing this beautiful game that unite Nigerians
I am very disappointed at them
They all need to go.
How can our precious super falcons be performing like this.
There is totally nothing that is working in this country currently.
After all said and done, another man from gombe will soon start defending you.
We have politicians not sport incline officials at nff. You guys are after money not after sport development. Like I said in one of my comments that fake it untill you brake it. In fact you guys should let super eagles too fail to qualify for next afcon.
A time will come you all will become irrelevant by the time our football at all level is dead and buried kwatakwata, wike people.
Keep that ya yeye apology inside ya pocket. We no need am!
See as he keep face like monkey wey lick lime.
Which kain nonsense be dis?
Oga, resign commot from there. Na ya papa house? Commot from there!
The NFF president and the entire board needs to resign immediately.
Non negotiable!
Well done sir, you’ve done well.
I have been saying this since time immemorial ” the main problem we have in this country are the so called state fa chairmen and excos who make up the Nff AND the Nff electoral statutes”.
Change the latter and the former will change but why would they change what benefits them?
It’s better we risk a fifa ban so the government can intervene and clean that glass house or we’ll be in the same loop for ever.
I blame the state governors for keeping several state fa chairmen for 2 to 3 decades.
That’s the result today.
Gusau has been part of NFF for nearly 2 decades and he’s reached his plateau
Sanusi, the same thing.
Nothing new anymore.
Change NFF statutes and all their empires will crumble.
E go soon happen
Malam Gaussu please in the name of God, please resign and leave our football alone. We’re sick and tired of your excuses. Our football is dead and buried. Please we need people who can administer and run our football the way it’s been run properly in Europe
Haaa at this junction of our football status, I prefer FIFA ban than all these nonsense we are witnessing.
These people will not change and so the people that benefit from them will not pray so.
It is only Nigeria football FA officials that uses bulletproof cars, move around like world bank top management.
They will think of themselves and their pocket before thinking of how fans feel.
You guys should continue like I said super eagles too can fail to qualify for afcon, if super falcon loose tomorrow which they may going by present indices.
You guys will have no hidden place from the hammer that will fall on glass house.
Veri wiked fifu.