Falcons have no excuse, says Ucheibe

Super Falcons midfielder Christy Ucheibe has expressed deep regret to Nigerians, admitting there is "no excuse" for the team's failure to secure automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. The defending champions were knocked out of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in the quarter-finals following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Cameroon.

“

We gave everything we had, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough. There is no excuse. We are very disappointed because we wanted to go further and qualify automatically for the World Cup.

Myriam Maeva Nyadjou's 19th-minute goal proved decisive, ending the Super Falcons' hopes of retaining their continental title and clinching one of the four direct World Cup berths available through the WAFCON semi-finals. Ucheibe acknowledged the team's effort against Cameroon but conceded it was insufficient. "We gave everything we had, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough. There is no excuse. We are very disappointed because we wanted to go further and qualify automatically for the World Cup," she stated.

Ucheibe further apologized for not reaching the WAFCON semi-finals, recognizing the nation's expectations. "We are sorry to Nigerians that we couldn’t advance in the competition. We know how much the country expects from us, and we feel that disappointment as well," she added. Despite creating several chances, Nigeria was thwarted by a strong Cameroonian defense and an exceptional performance from goalkeeper Michaely Bihina.

“

We are sorry to Nigerians that we couldn’t advance in the competition. We know how much the country expects from us, and we feel that disappointment as well.

Nigeria's World Cup aspirations remain alive through a secondary route. As quarter-final losers, the Super Falcons will participate in CAF play-off matches for two spots in the Women's World Cup Play-Off Tournament. They are set to face South Africa, who were also eliminated in the last eight, on Thursday, August 13. A victory would propel Nigeria into the inter-confederation play-offs, offering a final opportunity to qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. "We have to move on now. The World Cup is still our target, and we have to fight for that opportunity in the play-offs," Ucheibe emphasized.

“

We have to move on now. The World Cup is still our target, and we have to fight for that opportunity in the play-offs.