Former Super Falcons midfielder, Gift Okunwa-Igunbor has thrown her weight behind interim head coach Justin Madugu, urging the NFF to fully support him.
Meanwhile, Okunwa-Igunbor criticized the lack of preparation and friendly matches for the Super Falcons ahead of the 2025 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, stressing that time is running out.
“They’ve not played any single friendly matches and they’ve not been called in to come to prepare them for the international that is coming ahead them,” she said.
“Let the Coach Work – Home and Abroad”
Despite the chaos surrounding Nigeria’s women’s football team setup, she believes Madugu has the potential to succeed— if only the system allows him to function.
“But I still feel that all the eyes are on the prepared both home and abroad.”
“The ones that are playing local league and the ones that are playing professional league in the world.”
She urged the NFF to empower Madugu to begin scouting immediately — both locally and internationally.
“But I still believe that they should allow the coach. Since they’ve not got the expatriate coach that can handle them, the local coach that is handling them.”
“Justin is a good coach and the NFF can allow him to go around some various clubs, maybe in America and Europe.”
“To see one or two or three players, our players, how they are training and how they are doing. I think it should be okay.”
“Bring Them Together Now” – Time Is Ticking
Okunwa-Igunbor also drew attention to the home-based players who are often overlooked, calling for immediate integration of local league stars into the preparation plans.
“And then the ones that are playing local league, they are distant.”
“They should put an eye on them and bring them together so that they start their preparation.”
NFF’s Silence Raises Questions
The NFF had earlier announced intentions to hire an expatriate head coach for the Super Falcons following Randy Waldrum’s departure after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
However, no appointment has been made, and Madugu, Waldrum’s former assistant, remains in charge on an interim basis — with zero friendly matches played since November 2023.
