NFF apologises to Tinubu, Nigerians after Super Falcons miss direct World Cup ticket
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has apologised to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians following the Super Falcons’ failure to secure a direct qualification ticket for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the ongoing 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, conveyed the apology on behalf of the Federation’s Executive Committee, the Super Falcons and the wider Nigerian football family, acknowledging the disappointment caused by the team’s setback.
Gusau said the Super Falcons entered the tournament carrying the expectations of millions of Nigerians as well as the strong backing of the Federal Government, but admitted that the team had fallen short of the desired outcome at this stage of the competition.
He offered a special apology to President Tinubu, praising the President’s commitment to Nigerian sports and his support for women’s football.
According to the NFF president, the Federal Government’s unprecedented recognition and rewards for the Super Falcons after their previous WAFCON triumph including financial incentives, national honours, houses and a special reception demonstrated the value attached to the players and their contribution to national unity.
“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,” Gusau said.
He also extended the Federation’s apology to the National Assembly, the National Sports Commission, sponsors, stakeholders and millions of Super Falcons supporters across Nigeria and around the world.
Despite the setback, the NFF stressed that Nigeria’s World Cup hopes remain alive through the CAF play-off route.
The Federation said the Super Falcons would now turn their attention to securing one of the two available CAF play-off tickets before pursuing qualification through the FIFA play-off tournament.
Gusau assured Nigerians that the NFF, technical crew and players would regroup and give their best in the remaining qualification pathway.
He also disclosed that the Federation would conduct a comprehensive assessment of the team’s preparation, technical planning, logistics and overall operations to identify areas requiring improvement.
“We hear the disappointment of Nigerians, we share it and we accept our responsibility. But we are not giving up,” Gusau stated.
The NFF president said the team’s resolve was to return stronger and fight for Nigeria’s place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
He urged Nigerians to continue supporting the Super Falcons, stressing that their remaining qualification journey was not only about the present team but also about preserving the legacy of generations of Nigerian women footballers and inspiring young girls who dream of representing the country on the global stage.
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