Christopher Danjuma has been appointed head coach of Nigeria’s senior women’s football team after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) removed Justine Madugu and his coaching staff following the country’s failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The decision places Danjuma at the centre of Nigeria’s effort to rebuild after a difficult 2026 campaign.
His previous work with the Falconets gives him experience of Nigeria’s women’s football system, while an earlier spell with the Super Falcons adds senior-level experience to his coaching background. The move also comes after Moses Aduku replaced him as Falconets coach in 2025, creating a return to the senior side after his work with the under-20 team.
Former Super Eagles captain and coach Austin Eguavoen will supervise Danjuma and provide technical oversight. The arrangement separates the coaching role from the wider technical supervision, with Danjuma responsible for the Super Falcons while Eguavoen takes a senior role in monitoring the footballing direction.
Nigeria’s recent results provide the immediate context for the change. The Super Falcons reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations before losing 2-1 to South Africa in the World Cup play-off, leaving the nine-time African champions out of the 2027 tournament.
Danjuma must now establish his approach with a senior squad that needs results in the next international cycle. His priorities include squad selection, tactical organisation and preparation for upcoming competitive fixtures, with the federation also needing to provide the support staff and resources required for the programme.
The first assessment of his tenure will come through competitive results rather than his previous national-team experience. The coach must translate his knowledge of Nigeria’s women’s football system into performances against Africa’s strongest sides while working alongside Eguavoen under the oversight arrangement established by the federation.
