Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has urged the Super Falcons to remain focused on securing a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup despite their elimination from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Nigeria’s hopes of defending their continental title were ended by Cameroon, but Shaibu believes the Super Falcons still have an opportunity to redeem themselves when they face South Africa in the World Cup qualification playoff on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
The decisive encounter is scheduled to take place at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, with Shaibu urging the players to draw inspiration from Nigeria’s impressive record in African women’s football.
“Super Falcons remain the most successful women’s team on the continent, having won the African title a record 10 times.
That pedigree should serve as motivation rather than a burden and spur them to victory over South Africa in the first playoff,” Shaibu, a former Deputy Governor of Edo State, stated.
He also urged the coaching staff and technical crew to put the disappointment of the Cameroon defeat behind them and concentrate on the task ahead.
“Let me also appeal to the team’s coaches and the entire technical crew not to allow their spirits to be dampened by the loss [to Cameroon].
” Setbacks are part of sports, and the ability to bounce back defines champions.”
Shaibu further challenged the players to demonstrate the resilience that has traditionally been associated with Nigerian football.
“The players must carry the ‘never-say-die Nigerian spirit’ into the crucial qualifier against South Africa.
That same fighting attitude was responsible for Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football over the years and must be replicated in the next match.”
The NIS boss also appealed to Nigerians to continue encouraging the team as they battle for a place at the global tournament.
“Rather than criticism, Nigerians should pray for them and rally behind them as they chase the World Cup ticket, adding that beating South Africa is a task that must be done.”
Meanwhile, the other WAFCON quarter-final losers, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, will also clash in the second World Cup qualification playoff at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Thursday.
The winners of the two playoff matches will advance to the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff tournament for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, where they will compete for the remaining qualification places.
