Super Falcons coach Justin Madugu has vowed that Nigeria will fight to keep their 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup hopes alive after Cameroon ended their automatic qualification route at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria’s defending champions were eliminated in the quarterfinals on Sunday after Cameroon secured a 1-0 victory in Casablanca, ending the Super Falcons’ bid to retain their continental title and secure one of Africa’s four automatic World Cup places.
The defeat means Nigeria must now take the longer route if they are to reach Brazil, with a play-off against South Africa the next major hurdle in their qualification campaign.
Madugu knows the importance of that opportunity, particularly after the Cameroon defeat brought back memories of Nigeria’s men’s team missing out on the 2026 World Cup.
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Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 men’s World Cup remains a painful reference point for supporters, and Madugu brought it up himself when asked about the Super Falcons’ prospects after their quarter-final defeat.
The coach promised that his team would do everything possible to ensure the women do not suffer a similar disappointment.
“We still have a second chance, and we’ll give it our all to make sure that we do not disappoint and go the same way that the men took,” Madugu said.
The Super Falcons had entered the quarter-final knowing that victory would take them into the semi-finals and secure automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup.
Instead, Myriam Nyadjou’s first half freekick settled the contest and sent Cameroon into the last four.
Madugu is now focused on ensuring Nigeria make their remaining opportunity count.
“We will do our best and try to get it right to make sure that we go through the playoffs,” he added.
South Africa now stand in Nigeria’s way
Nigeria’s next challenge will come through the African playoff route, where South Africa await.
Madugu confirmed that the technical team will use the time available to review Nigeria’s performances at the tournament and prepare specifically for the next decisive fixture.
“We get another chance, a playoff against South Africa. We go back, watch all the games, and come up with a plan that will help us, because we cannot afford to drop that second opportunity,” he said.
The stakes are particularly high for Nigeria because they have never missed a Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 1991.
That record is now in danger after Cameroon closed the automatic qualification route. The Super Falcons, however, still have an opportunity to keep it alive.
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Madugu has already accepted responsibility for the Cameroon defeat, but his message after the disappointment was that the qualification campaign is not finished.
The Super Falcons now have to make their second opportunity count.
“We still have a second chance,” Madugu said.
For a team that has appeared at every Women’s World Cup since 1991, the importance of that chance is difficult to overstate.
Cameroon may have ended Nigeria’s automatic route to Brazil, but the Super Falcons still have a path to the tournament. Madugu’s task is now to make sure they do not let that final opportunity slip away.
