Ibrahim Gusau says Nigeria remains determined to reach the 2027 Women’s World Cup through the CAF play-off route after missing direct qualification

Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau on Tuesday apologised to President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government and millions of Nigerian supporters after the Super Falcons failed to secure direct qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

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Gusau, speaking on behalf of the NFF, the Super Falcons and the wider Nigerian football family, acknowledged the disappointment following Nigeria’s campaign at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The NFF president said the federation recognised the expectations placed on the nine-time African champions, particularly after the Federal Government’s support and recognition of the team following their previous WAFCON triumph.

“We wish to extend a special and heartfelt apology to His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic, Bola Tinubu, for this disappointment,” Gusau said.

“It is 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.”

The apology also extended to the National Assembly, National Sports Commission, sponsors, football stakeholders and Nigerian supporters at home and abroad who followed the team’s campaign.

Despite the setback, Gusau stressed that Nigeria’s World Cup hopes remain alive through the CAF play-off pathway.

“A window of opportunity remains through the CAF play-off pathway, and the Super Falcons are determined to fight for one of the two available CAF play-off tickets,” he said.

The route gives Nigeria another opportunity to reach the 2027 tournament, although the team will now have to navigate an additional qualification stage rather than securing its place directly.

Gusau said the NFF, technical team and players remained committed to taking advantage of that opportunity.

The federation’s response also points to a broader review of the campaign. Gusau said officials would conduct an assessment of Nigeria’s preparation, technical planning, logistics and overall operations to identify areas requiring improvement.

“The NFF will also undertake an honest assessment of our preparation, technical planning, logistics and overall operations, with a determination to identify areas requiring improvement,” he said.

The review comes as the Super Falcons continue to carry significant expectations within Nigerian football.

The team remains one of Africa’s most decorated women’s national sides and has traditionally been regarded as a leading force on the continent. That standing has brought considerable public expectation whenever the Falcons compete for major honours.

Gusau said the federation understood the frustration surrounding the latest result rather than attempting to dismiss it.

“We hear the disappointment of Nigerians, we share it and we accept our responsibility. But we are not giving up,” he said.

The message leaves the Super Falcons with a clear objective: recover from the qualification setback, secure one of the available CAF play-off places and ultimately preserve Nigeria’s presence at the global tournament.

For the NFF, the immediate task is therefore twofold. The federation must address the shortcomings identified in the team’s campaign while ensuring that the players remain focused on the remaining route to the 2027 World Cup.

The apology also signals an attempt to acknowledge the emotional investment of supporters while keeping attention on the opportunity that remains.

Nigeria’s failure to qualify directly has created an unexpected hurdle, but it has not ended the Super Falcons’ World Cup journey.

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The next stage will test both the team’s resilience on the pitch and the NFF’s ability to respond to the lessons emerging from the campaign.