NEWS
NFF Set to Announce New Super Falcons Coach as Nigeria Begins 2028 Olympic Qualifying Preparations
The Nigeria Football Federation is set to unveil a new head coach for the Super Falcons as the country begins preparations for the team’s 2028 Olympic qualifying campaign, with the announcement expected to signal a fresh chapter for Nigeria’s senior women’s national team.
The coaching appointment has become an urgent priority for the football authorities following the Super Falcons’ disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where Nigeria’s hopes of returning to the FIFA Women’s World Cup were also brought to an end.
A senior source at the National Sports Commission said the need to appoint a new coach had become imperative ahead of the crucial Olympic qualifying fixtures.
“We have an important Olympic qualifier ahead, so we need a new coach, who will be announced any moment now,” the source said.
An official of the Nigeria Football Federation equally confirmed that the appointment was imminent, although uncertainty remained over whether the new manager would be formally presented to the public immediately after the announcement.
“The NSC is in charge, and I am not sure if there will be an unveiling, but an announcement is imminent,” the official said.
Although the identity of the incoming coach has yet to be officially disclosed, reports suggest that the necessary processes for the appointment have already been completed, leaving the football authorities with the final announcement as the next major step.
The decision follows the departure of Justine Madugu and members of his technical crew after the Super Falcons endured a disappointing run at the 2026 WAFCON.
Nigeria reached the quarter-finals of the competition but suffered a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon, a result that not only ended the Falcons’ hopes of progressing further in the continental tournament but also effectively extinguished their chances of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The setback has consequently increased pressure on the NFF and the NSC to find a coach capable of restoring stability, strengthening the squad and preparing the team for the demanding qualification battles ahead.
A number of experienced coaches have reportedly emerged as possible candidates for the vacant position.
Former Super Falcons manager, Thomas Dennerby has been linked with a return, while former Nigeria captain and coach Florence Omagbemi is also among the names reportedly being considered.
Omagbemi remains a significant figure in the history of the Falcons, having guided Nigeria to the 2016 WAFCON title and previously played an influential role in the national team setup.
Former Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum has also been mentioned as a potential candidate, while former Nigeria assistant coach Imama Amapakabo has reportedly shown interest in taking charge of the women’s national team.
Whoever eventually gets the job will inherit a team with considerable expectations attached to it. The new coach will be tasked with rebuilding the squad, identifying emerging talents, improving the team’s tactical structure and, most importantly, ending Nigeria’s prolonged absence from the Olympic women’s football tournament.
The Super Falcons have not featured in the women’s football competition at the Olympic Games since the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
With the 2028 Olympic qualifying campaign now looming, the appointment of the new coach is therefore expected to be more than a routine change in technical leadership. It will be a critical opportunity for Nigeria to rebuild one of Africa’s most decorated women’s football teams and put the Super Falcons firmly back on the global stage.