Calls for Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau to resign have intensified after the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria’s 2-1 defeat to South Africa in Thursday’s decisive play-off in Morocco ended the country’s record of qualifying for every edition of the Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991.
The result has also intensified scrutiny of the NFF leadership, with the federation’s elective congress less than two months away. Supporters have taken to social media to demand Gusau’s resignation, while the NFF president is preparing to seek another four-year term.
Some reactions have been particularly severe, with supporters accusing the NFF leadership of incompetence and calling for Gusau to leave office. However, the criticism comes amid a wider series of disappointments involving Nigeria’s national teams.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing to DR Congo on penalties in the African play-off final in November 2025. The country will therefore miss both the men’s and women’s World Cups at the same time for the first time.
Gusau Defends NFF Preparation
Before the decisive match against South Africa, Gusau had defended the NFF’s preparations for the Super Falcons, pointing to a series of friendly matches organised for the team.
Speaking in Morocco, he said the federation had arranged matches against Cameroon between November and March and had also attempted to organise a friendly against Senegal about two months before the tournament.
“Well, we are doing our best. You know, sometimes people just like to talk anyhow,” Gusau said.
He defended the decision to prioritise African opposition, arguing that the Falcons needed to test themselves against teams they could encounter in competitive continental matches.
“We are coming for an African tournament. Nobody should expect us to go and arrange a match for the Super Falcons against Norway or Sweden or what have you,” he said.
Gusau also urged Nigerians to be patient with the federation, saying the team had gained strength and would be ready to compete.
The Falcons’ defeat to South Africa, however, has renewed questions over whether the preparations were sufficient.
Pressure Extends Beyond the Falcons
The criticism facing the NFF leadership is not limited to the senior national teams.
The Golden Eaglets have failed to qualify for three consecutive FIFA U-17 World Cup tournaments despite being five-time world champions at that level.
Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the next U-20 World Cup are also in jeopardy following the Flying Eagles’ impending absence from the next Africa U-20 Nations Cup.
The Falcons’ World Cup setback followed a disappointing WAFCON campaign in Morocco.
Nigeria entered the tournament as defending champions but opened with a shock 3-2 defeat to debutants Malawi. The team recovered with wins over Zambia and Egypt to reach the quarter-finals, only to lose 1-0 to Cameroon.
That defeat ended Nigeria’s title defence and forced the Falcons into the World Cup play-off route, where South Africa completed their elimination.
Gusau Seeks Another Term
Despite the growing calls for his resignation, Gusau is preparing to contest for another four-year term.
The NFF elective congress has been moved to September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The congress will elect the federation’s executive committee for the next four years. The date was changed from September 26 because the Super Eagles are scheduled to face Madagascar in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on September 25.
The NFF has already inaugurated its Electoral and Electoral Appeals Committees and pledged that the process will be free, fair and credible.
Gusau’s administration can point to initiatives involving coaching education, competitions and football development. But the latest results have intensified questions over whether those efforts have translated into stronger national teams and a more successful football system.
Odegbami Takes Election Dispute to Court
The leadership debate has also moved beyond social media.
Former Nigeria captain Segun Odegbami has announced plans to approach the courts over the NFF electoral process. He is seeking judicial clarification on the laws and regulations governing Nigerian football and wants the September election temporarily halted while outstanding governance issues are addressed.
His concerns include the composition of the NFF Congress, representation of state football associations, government’s role as a major funder of football and the structure and cost of NFF elections.
“Where we are now is the result of some faulty decisions at a point. Nothing illegal has happened. It is our choice,” Odegbami said.
He said his objective was to seek “interpretation,” “transparency” and “justice” and help “steady this sinking ship of Nigerian football.”
Why Gusau Cannot Simply Be Removed
Despite the growing anger, calls for Gusau’s resignation do not automatically translate into a legal mechanism for removing him.
FIFA requires member associations to manage their affairs independently and prohibits third-party interference. Article 14 of the FIFA Statutes requires member associations to conduct their affairs independently and provides for sanctions when that obligation is breached.
As a result, the Nigerian government cannot simply remove an elected NFF president because supporters or public officials are dissatisfied with his performance.
Gusau’s leadership must ultimately be challenged through the NFF’s own governance and electoral structures, subject to applicable law and the federation’s statutes.
That makes the September election critical.
The NFF Congress, rather than the wider football-supporting public, will determine who leads the federation for the next four years.
Election Will Decide Gusau’s Future
Shooting Stars Sporting Director Tobi Adepoju has warned that social media pressure alone will not determine the outcome of the NFF election.
“The NFF election does not have voters on social media. Sadly,” Adepoju wrote.
He questioned whether the government could drive reforms in Nigerian football without breaching FIFA’s rules on interference and whether there were capable alternatives prepared to take over the running of the game.
Adepoju argued that meaningful reform would require genuine interest from the Federal Government and state governors, less day-to-day political interference and stronger leadership across state football associations, the NFF and clubs.
But he also questioned whether credible alternatives were willing and able to participate in the politics required to control the football administration.
“Who are the people with capacity that deserves to lead the football ecosystem? Do we have options better than what we have now? Are they interested in playing the football politics?” he asked.
As the September election approaches, those questions remain unresolved.
“In politics across board, power is not given, power is taken through political strategies,” Adepoju concluded.
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