News Investigators/ Award-winning sports broadcaster and CAF-accredited sports analyst, Joseph Atewe, has called for the removal of Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu, following Nigeria’s quarter-final elimination from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
His comments came after the defending champions were knocked out by Cameroon on Sunday, with the Indomitable Lionesses producing a resilient performance in Casablanca to end Nigeria’s title defence and secure a place in the semi-finals.
The victory also earned Cameroon qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Cameroon scored the only goal of the quarter-final in the 19th minute through 20-year-old Myriam Maéva Nyadjou, whose powerful long-range effort flew into the top corner beyond the reach of Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Nigeria’s defeat means the Super Falcons will now face South Africa on Thursday for a place in the inter-confederation World Cup play-offs, with the fixture determining one of Africa’s representatives at the qualifying tournament.
Speaking as a guest on Monday, on First Touch, on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, Mr. Atewe said the Super Falcons’ latest setback was not an isolated failure, arguing that several weaknesses had been evident long before their quarter-final defeat to Cameroon.
He particularly criticised Madugu’s tactical decisions during the match, questioning why experienced players were left on the bench for significant periods while Nigeria was trailing and needed a goal to remain in the competition.
“I cannot be one-nil down, looking for a goal. I have players on the bench, knowing that after 90 minutes, it’s all over, I will take my chances.”
Atewe said the coach should have taken greater risks as the match entered its final stages, particularly with Nigeria facing elimination.
He also questioned Madugu’s continued leadership of the team, saying a change was necessary if the Super Falcons were to make meaningful progress.
“First, Justin Madugu has to go if he wants anything meaningful to come out of the Super Falcons. Left to me, What he has enjoyed so far is based on what Randy Waldrum did with his squad. Waldrum was ruthless and it’s based on what he has done so far. Now we question CAF for not giving him the best coach of the year. I mean when they gave it to somebody else, they knew what they were doing. They saw the lapses, they knew. And this is not the first time.
“We also remember in 2014 they did the same thing. A coach had gone on to win the WAFCON, gave it to somebody else. They do not give you based on the fact that you won. They also look at your tactical discipline and that is where you must now give kudos to CAF. Honestly, I’m disappointed,” he said.
The analyst further criticised the coach’s overall handling of the game, describing the performance as a major coaching failure.
“What we saw yesterday was a disgrace. You saw a coach who was clueless. You have Oshoala on the bench. You have some key players on the bench. Players that have won at least 4 WACONs to their names on the bench, 72, 82 minutes. You decided to bring them in. For what? Are they designs on the bench?”
Poor preparation
Atewe, however, said Madugu should not bear the entire responsibility for Nigeria’s WAFCON failure, arguing that the NFF also contributed significantly to the team’s poor showing.
He criticised the federation for failing to secure credible friendly matches for the Super Falcons ahead of the tournament, describing the preparation as inadequate for a side with a record 10 WAFCON titles.
According to him, the latest defeat only exposed problems that had existed within the team for some time.
“Well I want to say that this didn’t just start now and that’s the mistake we are making. You know we got to the finals of the WAFCON last year, came back from two goals down. We all praised the girls for doing what they did. We described them as being exceptional but that wasn’t it.
“If you’re a sports analyst and a presenter who understands the game, you will see the lapses. It’s not about Morocco being exceptional. There was a problem. The second 45 minutes where we got those three girls, three goals rather, was individual brilliance. Those girls came to the party, they wanted to win,” he added.
According to Mr. Atewe the weaknesses were already visible during the previous WAFCON final, when Nigeria recovered from two goals down to defeat Morocco.
He said the comeback and eventual triumph had caused many people to overlook the team’s underlying problems, with individual brilliance and the players’ determination playing a major role in the victory.
He maintained that Nigeria’s success in the previous tournament should not be allowed to conceal the tactical and structural deficiencies that were already present.
Beyond Madugu and the NFF
Atewe said the problems affecting Nigerian football extend beyond the Super Falcons and should not be blamed entirely on the coach or the NFF.
He also identified the National Sports Commission as a stakeholder that must take responsibility for the development of football in the country.
While rejecting calls for the complete removal of the NFF, he advocated changes within the federation.
“I do not think total overhaul is the initiative. I think that there should be some changes.”
He said Nigeria needed to focus on fixing specific weaknesses within the football system rather than simply replacing individuals whenever a national team suffers a poor result.
Morocco as a model
Atewe cited Morocco as an example of what sustained investment and long-term planning could achieve in African football.
He said the North African country adopted a 10-year development plan that helped create the structures responsible for its emergence as the first African nation to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals.
He argued that Nigeria needs a similar long-term approach, particularly in youth development and the domestic game.
Youth development and age cheating
Atewe also called for reforms in Nigeria’s age-grade football system, particularly stronger age verification to address the persistent problem of age cheating.
He said young players should be allowed to compete at their actual ages and receive proper development rather than being pushed into older age categories because of the pressure to secure football opportunities.
“Even if they fail, teach them again.”
He linked the problem partly to poverty, noting that football represents an escape route for many young Nigerians and that the pressure to succeed can encourage age manipulation.
Atewe argued that Nigeria must develop a proper pathway through which players can progress from youth football to the senior national teams.
He also called for greater investment in local player development, noting that Nigeria increasingly depends on players who have developed outside the country, while countries such as Morocco have built stronger domestic systems.
Atewe’s concerns about Nigeria’s youth development system came against the backdrop of another setback for the country’s football development pathway, with the Flying Eagles suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to Burkina Faso’s Young Stallions in the final of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-20 Championship at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, on Sunday.
The defeat means Nigeria will miss the 2027 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations and, consequently, the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan.
NPFL commercialisation
Atewe also turned his attention to the Nigeria Premier Football League, calling for greater efforts to commercialise and televise the competition.
He said improved pitches, better facilities and regular television coverage would make the league more attractive to sponsors and broadcasters.
According to him, clubs would struggle to attract major commercial investment without facilities capable of supporting a professional league.
He also identified the financial difficulties facing clubs and government ownership of several teams as challenges to the league’s development.
Atewe said television exposure would improve the league’s visibility and help address some of the problems affecting the competition.
“We need to see these things on screen, otherwise the returning Nigerian football league”
He maintained that prize money alone would not solve the league’s problems without corresponding improvements in facilities, broadcasting and commercial partnerships.
Former internationals and football administration
The discussion also examined the role former Nigerian internationals could play in football administration.
The presenters referenced former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel, who has repeatedly criticised aspects of Nigerian football administration, as well as other former internationals including Kanu Nwankwo and Ahmed Musa.
Atewe acknowledged that some former players have attempted to contribute to football administration but said government influence within the existing system could limit their effectiveness.
The discussion also touched on the relatively short post-playing careers of some Nigerian internationals compared with global stars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Toni Kroos.
“Now, John Obi Mikel, Taye Taiwo and the rest. Stanley Okoro. All of them. Today we still talk about Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. They are still playing active football. Where is Taye Taiwo? Where is John Obi Mikel? Because it wasn’t their real age. You see, you cannot be under 20 and not still be active. Do you know that in 1999, Nigeria 99, do you know that Tony Cruz was part of the German side? Do you know that Granti Xhaka was part of the Switzerland team that defeated Nigeria in 2009? Do you know?”
Atewe linked the issue to the wider problem of age manipulation in Nigerian football, arguing that fixing age certification and youth development would help players enjoy longer and more sustainable careers.
For Atewe, Nigeria’s latest WAFCON setback is therefore part of a much larger problem.
He argued that meaningful progress requires improved national-team preparation, stronger youth development, better domestic competitions, credible age verification, greater commercial investment and targeted changes within football administration.