World Cup failure: ‘I’m not afraid of being sacked’ — Madugu

Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu stated he is not afraid of losing his job despite Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. The team's hopes were dashed on Thursday after a 2-1 playoff defeat to South Africa, marking Nigeria's first absence from the tournament since its start in 1991.

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First of all, I have to apologise to Nigerians over our inability to make it to the World Cup. It was not our intention. We came and did the best that we could, but our best was not good enough

Speaking to the press after the loss, Madugu apologized to Nigerians and accepted full responsibility. "First of all, I have to apologise to Nigerians over our inability to make it to the World Cup. It was not our intention. We came and did the best that we could, but our best was not good enough," he said. He added, "We are very sorry for that, and we take full responsibility for everything that happened."

When questioned about calls for his dismissal, Madugu responded, "I am not afraid of being sacked. To the glory of God, I have served my country. It was a privilege that was given to me." He noted his record of 19 wins, four defeats, and four draws in nearly 28 matches, but acknowledged the significance of the loss to South Africa.

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We are very sorry for that, and we take full responsibility for everything that happened

Madugu attributed the defeat to Nigeria's inability to convert scoring opportunities and costly defensive mistakes. "We had chances, but conversion was another problem. We also made some little errors at the back, and they capitalised on that and got their goals," he explained. He also suggested that complacency or overconfidence might have played a role in the team's errors, stating, "It could be complacency, it could also be overconfidence, and then we end up making mistakes over unnecessary issues."

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I am not afraid of being sacked. To the glory of God, I have served my country. It was a privilege that was given to me

The coach further highlighted the team's lack of clinical finishing despite creating numerous chances. "We have not been clinical in front of goal. We create several chances, but we are very wasteful with the opportunities that come our way," Madugu said. He observed that South Africa was more effective in capitalizing on their chances, contrasting with Nigeria's wastefulness in front of goal.

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We had chances, but conversion was another problem. We also made some little errors at the back, and they capitalised on that and got their goals