Falcons to get new coach today, NSC, NFF confirm

The Nigeria Football Federation is expected to announce the new head coach of the Super Falcons in Abuja today, with preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games scheduled to get underway, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

A top source from the National Sports Commission told PUNCH Sports Extra that the imminent announcement of the new technical head of the women’s national team was heightened by Nigeria’s upcoming Olympic qualifier.

“You know we have an important Olympic qualifier, so we need a new coach, who will be announced any moment now,” the source at the NSC said.

Another top official of the NFF also confirmed the appointment but said she wasn’t sure of a proper unveiling.

“The NSC is in charge, and I am not sure if there will be an unveiling, but an announcement is imminent,” the NFF source said.

While the identity of the new coach was not revealed, it was, however, hinted that all formalities in the selection of the new coach had been completed following the dismissal of coach Justine Madugu and his technical crew after the 2026 WAFCON.

The PUNCH had reported that former Super Falcons coach Thomas Dennerby is in line for a return, alongside 2016 WAFCON-winning coach Florence Omagbemi.

Other reports have also linked American coach Randy Waldrum with a return to the team, while Imama Amapakabo was also said to have inquired about the role.

The appointment follows the Falcons’ disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals.

Nigeria’s 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in the last eight also ended their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Following the setback, Justin Madugu was relieved of his position as head coach, prompting the NFF and Sports Commission to begin the search for a new manager to lead the team into a new cycle.

The incoming coach will be expected to rebuild the squad and lay the foundation for Nigeria’s bid to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games, while restoring the Falcons’ status as one of Africa’s leading women’s national teams.

The appointment is particularly significant given Nigeria’s long absence from the Olympic women’s football tournament. The Falcons last featured at the Games in 2008 in Beijing.

The NFF and NSC will hope the new coach can provide the stability and direction needed to guide the team through the next phase and end their Olympic qualification drought.

The identity of the incoming coach has not been officially disclosed, with the authorities expected to formally unveil the new technical boss in Abuja today.