The calls for the resignation of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau have grown louder following the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

For many Nigerian football supporters, the 2-1 defeat to South Africa in Thursday’s decisive play-off in Morocco was more than another disappointing result. It was the latest setback in a period that has left questions about the direction of the country’s football administration.

The defeat ended Nigeria’s enviable record of qualifying for every edition of the Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991.

South Africa and Ghana have advanced to the FIFA Inter-Confederation Play-Off Tournament, while Nigeria’s qualification campaign is over.

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And with the NFF election less than two months away, attention has quickly shifted from the pitch to the leadership of Nigerian football.

‘He should resign’

On social media, some Nigerian supporters have called on Mr Gusau to step aside rather than seek another term.

One supporter, posting as @SarkinFoto, said the NFF president should submit a resignation letter instead of an apology.

“The NFF President needs to tender a resignation letter before daybreak and NOT an apology letter,” the supporter wrote.

Ben Marke was similarly blunt.

“In a sane society this guy ought to resign and apologize for wasting our time,” he posted.

Another supporter, @Weirdmaskman NG, questioned why Mr Gusau would remain in office after the latest setback.

“You don’t even have to clamour for his resignation. A responsible person would read the room and call it quits while he’s behind,” he wrote.

There were also stronger reactions.

“He should face jail time not just resign, very corrupt and incompetent NFF president,” wrote @Martins7906202, while The Beautiful Bald Man described Gusau as “grossly incompetent” and called for him to leave.

Olatunji Balogun was more direct in his submission.

“If FIFA wants to ban Nigeria the time is Now Because Gusau Must Go,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

These comments mirror the views of many other Nigerian football fans whose frustration is understandable in the context of the series of disappointments in the country’s football space.

For the second consecutive edition, Nigeria failed to qualify for the men’s FIFA World Cup after losing to DR Congo on penalties in the African play-off final in November 2025.

Nigeria will therefore miss both the men’s and women’s World Cups at the same time for the first time.

For a country that has traditionally expected its two senior national teams to be present at the biggest football tournaments, the double failure has become a major talking point.

Gusau defends NFF’s preparation

Before the decisive match against South Africa, Mr Gusau had already faced questions about the NFF’s preparations for the Super Falcons.

Speaking with reporters in Morocco, the NFF president defended the federation’s efforts to provide the team with competitive matches.

“Well, we are doing our best. You know, sometimes people just like to talk anyhow,” he said.

Mr Gusau pointed to the Falcons’ friendly matches against Cameroon as evidence of the federation’s preparations.

“If you can remember, between the period of November and March this year, we made the Super Falcons have a friendly match with the Cameroonian national team in Nigeria and in Yaoundé. And then, just about two months ago, we tried to organise a friendly match for them against the Senegal national team,” he said.

He also defended the decision to focus on African opposition rather than arranging matches against European teams.

“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. We need to look at a competitive team from the African continent because we expect that along the line we can meet them and see what happens. At the end of the day, we met Cameroon,” he said.

According to Mr Gusau, arranging international friendlies for women’s teams in Africa comes with its own challenges, particularly the cost of moving teams around.

The NFF president also warned against what he described as uninformed criticism.

“So, people can talk anyhow, not mindful of what they are saying. But, as I have said earlier, we just want you to be patient with us, and we are very sure that, by the grace of God, the girls have now gained their strength and they will make a squad, and we’ll take it from there.”

The South Africa defeat, however, has given those earlier comments a new context, with critics now questioning whether the preparations were adequate to achieve the desired result.

A record of missed opportunities

The criticism of the NFF leadership goes beyond the two senior teams.

The Golden Eaglets have failed to qualify for three successive FIFA U-17 World Cup editions despite being five-time world champions at the level (the most successful team in the world).

With the Flying Eagles’ impending absence from the next Africa U-20 Nations Cup, hopes of featuring at the next U-20 World Cup is also in jeopardy.

WAFCON disappointment adds pressure

The Super Falcons’ World Cup failure came only days after another disappointing WAFCON campaign.

Nigeria entered the 2026 tournament as defending champions and one of the favourites, but suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to debutants Malawi in their opening match.

The Falcons eventually reached the quarter-finals but lost 1-0 to Cameroon.

That result ended their hopes of defending the title and forced them into the World Cup play-off route, where South Africa subsequently ended their qualification hopes.

The final outcome has therefore turned what could have been a difficult tournament into a much bigger leadership issue.

Gusau still wants another four years

Against this backdrop, Mr Gusau is preparing to seek another four-year term.

The NFF’s Elective Congress has been moved to 27 September in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The congress will usher in the federation’s Executive Committee for the next four years. The change from the earlier 26 September date was approved because the Super Eagles are scheduled to face Madagascar in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on 25 September.

The NFF had earlier inaugurated its Electoral and Electoral Appeals Committees and pledged that the process would be free, fair and credible. Mr Gusau charged the committees to discharge their duties without fear or favour.

This creates an uncomfortable contrast for the incumbent.

While Nigerians are demanding his resignation, Mr Gusau is preparing to ask the NFF Congress for another mandate.

His administration can point to areas such as coaching education, competitions and football development as part of its record.

But supporters are entitled to ask whether those initiatives have translated into stronger national teams and a more successful football system.

Odegbami takes the battle 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’s electoral process.

Mr Odegbami says he wants judicial clarification on the laws and regulations governing Nigerian football and believes the September election should be temporarily halted while outstanding governance questions are addressed.

His concerns include the structure of the NFF Congress, representation of state football associations, the role of government 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,” Mr Odegbami said.

He said his objective was to seek “interpretation,” “transparency” and “justice” and help “steady this sinking ship of Nigerian football.”

His proposed legal action adds another layer to an already difficult election season.

Why Gusau cannot simply be removed

Despite the anger, there is a difference between demanding a resignation and legally forcing an NFF president out of office.

FIFA requires its member associations to manage their affairs independently and not be influenced by third parties. Article 14 of the FIFA Statutes specifically requires member associations to manage their affairs independently and provides for sanctions where that obligation is violated.

That principle is one reason the Nigerian government cannot simply remove an elected NFF president because supporters or public officials are unhappy with his performance.

The NFF leadership must ultimately be challenged through the federation’s own governance and electoral processes, subject to applicable law and the NFF Statutes.

This is where the September election becomes crucial.

The NFF Congress, rather than the wider Nigerian football-supporting public, will determine who leads the federation for the next four years.

So while thousands of supporters may demand Gusau’s resignation, the final decision on his political future within Nigerian football will be made through the federation’s electoral structure.

Beyond the noise

Shooting Stars Sporting Director Tobi Adepoju has summed up one of the biggest realities facing those calling for change: the NFF election will not be decided by social media.

“The NFF election does not have voters on social media. Sadly,” he wrote.

Mr Adepoju raised questions about whether government can drive reforms in Nigerian football without breaching FIFA’s rules on interference, and whether there are people with the capacity and willingness to take over the running of the game.

He argued that meaningful reform would require the Federal Government and state governors to show genuine interest in football, remove the game from day-to-day politics and support capable people to lead the state football associations, NFF and clubs.

But he also acknowledged the difficult political reality of 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.

For Mr Adepoju, those questions remain unanswered as the September election draws closer.

“In politics across board, power is not given, power is taken through political strategies,” he concluded.