Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has issued an apology to Nigerian fans following his side’s 1–1 draw with Benin Republic in the second leg of their 2026 WAFCON qualifying tie at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.
Despite advancing 3–1 on aggregate, the performance left many supporters disappointed, especially after a lacklustre showing on home soil. Madugu described the result as an “off day” for the team, admitting that the Super Falcons failed to meet the high expectations that Nigerians have come to associate with the African champions.
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“We know what Nigerians expect from this team. The Super Falcons are held to a high standard, and rightly so,” Madugu told reporters after the match. “It wasn’t our best performance, and we didn’t play to the level we are capable of. I take full responsibility for that.”
The coach, however, said the result would serve as a valuable wake-up call, stressing that the focus now shifts to improving the squad ahead of next year’s WAFCON in Morocco — a tournament that also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“Sometimes results like this remind us that there is always work to do,” he continued. “We’ve seen areas that need adjustment, and we will go back to fix them. The goal is to ensure the Falcons return to their very best.”
Madugu praised the players’ resilience and thanked the fans for their unwavering support despite the underwhelming display.
“We appreciate the fans for sticking with us,” he added. “They’ve always been our biggest motivation, and we promise to give them more reasons to celebrate in the coming months.”
The Super Falcons will now regroup as preparations begin for their next competitive fixtures later this year.
