Eguavoen, who will oversee the team as the search for a substantive head coach continues, brings considerable international experience to the assignment.

The 61-year-old tactician led the Super Eagles to a bronze medal at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt and has managed Nigeria at the highest level.

According to the NFF, he will be assisted by Christopher Danjuma, head coach of Nigeria Women‘s Football League side Nasarawa Amazons.

Danjuma has extensive experience with Nigeria’s women’s national teams, having previously led the Falconets at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa will serve as goalkeeper trainer. He has also worked with several of Nigeria’s national teams, including the CHAN Eagles, Flying Eagles and Golden Eaglets.

Former Super Falcons defender Ayisat Yusuf, who has since moved into coaching, will also join the technical crew as an assistant coach.

Yusuf won 68 international caps for Nigeria and represented the country at four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, three FIFA Women’s World Cups and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Madugu sacked after historic World Cup failure

Madugu’s dismissal came just over a year after he led the Super Falcons to a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.

He initially took charge on an interim basis in September 2024 following the resignation of American coach Randy Waldrum, before being handed the substantive role.

However, Nigeria’s fortunes deteriorated at the 2026 WAFCON, where the defending champions failed to reach the semi-finals and subsequently lost 2-1 to South Africa in the play-off.

The defeat ended the Super Falcons’ record of appearing at every edition of the Women’s World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1991.

The NFF has also launched a fact-finding committee to investigate the national team’s recent performances, with particular focus on the Super Falcons’ unexpected failure to qualify for the World Cup.

Then NFF president Ibrahim Gusau inaugurated the committee and gave it two weeks to investigate the direct and remote causes of the poor results and submit its report.

Super Falcons begin Olympic quest

The 10-time African champions will begin their Olympic qualifying campaign in the second round against Comoros, with both legs scheduled for Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on October 9 and 13, 2026.

Nigeria received a bye into the second round as one of the three highest-ranked teams in the qualifying competition, while Comoros advanced after defeating Sudan 30-0 on aggregate.

The Super Falcons must navigate four rounds of two-legged knockout ties to claim one of Africa’s two available places at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Should Nigeria eliminate Comoros, they will advance to the third round, scheduled for February 23 to March 6, 2027, where they will face either the Democratic Republic of Congo or Morocco.

A place in the fourth round would set up a tie against one of Tunisia, Senegal, Benin Republic or Mali between October 4 and 12, 2027.

The final round of qualifying is scheduled for November 23 to December 4, 2027, with Nigeria potentially facing one of Guinea, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Central African Republic, Algeria or Burkina Faso.

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Technical Staff Additions to Support Eric Chelle

Chelle, who also serves as head coach of the Super Eagles, has moved to strengthen his technical team as Nigeria begins preparations for the Olympic qualifiers scheduled for November 2026.

The Franco-Malian tactician described Ozebagbe and Ortega as two of the country’s brightest young coaching talents, highlighting their profiles and expressing his satisfaction at having them join his technical crew.

The appointments form part of the preparations for the Olympic Eagles, with camping expected to commence soon in Abuja ahead of the November qualification fixtures.

Chelle has also briefed the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) on his plans and preparations for the qualification campaign, as Nigeria begins its push for a place at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The NSC has placed emphasis on securing qualification for both the men’s and women’s Olympic football teams, while also targeting a strong performance at the Games.

For the Olympic Eagles, attention will now turn to preparations for the qualifiers, with Chelle and his newly assembled technical team expected to work on building a squad capable of navigating the qualification process.

Nigeria’s return to the Olympic football tournament would provide another opportunity for the country to compete on the global stage, with the NSC also targeting a podium finish should qualification be secured.

With camping set to begin in Abuja, Chelle, Ozebagbe and Ortega will now look to establish a clear technical structure ahead of the November qualifiers and begin Nigeria’s journey towards Los Angeles 2028.

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Historic path to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games

The formidable Nigerian pair of Esther Onyinye Mbah and Pamela Miyoum Bawa defeated Morocco 2-0 in the final of the 2026 African Beach Volleyball Championship, securing set scores of 21-17 and 21-10. This convincing victory allowed them to claim the coveted continental title and formally book Nigeria’s spot at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The historic achievement marks the first time an African nation has qualified for the women’s beach volleyball event at the upcoming Olympic Games through this specific qualification pathway.

For Mbah and Bawa, the landmark victory represents the most significant step in a promising partnership that has developed with remarkable speed over the past two years. Their chemistry on the court has become a focal point of their success, allowing them to overcome experienced opponents through disciplined play and effective communication.

The duo first teamed up in 2024 and have since gained invaluable experience competing together at major African and international competitions. Their rising trajectory has already produced notable results, including gold at the 2024 CAVB U19 Championships, a bronze medal at the 2024 African Games, and a hard-fought bronze at the 2025 CAVB Beach Volleyball Continental Senior Championships.

Now, their most substantial career achievement has arrived with an Olympic Games berth. This qualification is not merely a triumph for the individuals involved, but a defining moment for the entire programme, validating years of dedicated training and tactical preparation.

From African Games bronze to Olympic qualification

Mbah and Bawa’s rapid rise has been defined by their steady and consistent improvement on the continental stage. By building on the foundation established during their bronze-medal performance at the African Games, they have successfully translated that potential into consistent results at the senior level.

Their journey reflects a methodical approach to development that has seen them transition from promising junior talents to dominant senior players within the continental circuit. This progression provides them with the necessary momentum as they shift their focus toward the intense preparations required for their debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

At the 2024 African Games in Ghana, the pair won bronze after defeating Rwanda 2-0 in the third-place match. Mbah described that result as a dream come true and credited the support of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation for fostering their development.

I am very excited to win a bronze medal despite playing against some highly rated players in the beach volleyball event, Mbah said after that achievement.

Later that year, the pair won the African U19 title in Morocco, defeating the hosts 2-0 and securing qualification for the FIVB U19 World Championship.

Their senior breakthrough followed in 2025 when they claimed bronze at the African Continental Senior Championships and qualified for the World Beach Volleyball Championship.

The 2026 continental title represents the culmination of a progression that has taken them from junior champions to African senior champions and now qualifiers for the Olympic Games.

A new chapter for Nigerian volleyball

The qualification is significant for Nigeria as they prepare for the Olympic Games, marking the first time the country has reached this stage in the sport. This milestone reflects the growing depth of talent within the nation and demonstrates the success of sustained investment in athlete development programmes.

Beach volleyball has produced Olympic appearances for other African countries, including Egypt, but Nigeria had never previously qualified for the event.

The breakthrough also highlights the growing depth of Nigerian volleyball and the impact of sustained athlete development.

National Sports Commission Director-General Bukola Olopade described the qualification as evidence of the progress being made in the sport, while Nigeria Olympic Committee president Habu Gumel hailed Mbah and Bawa for writing their names into Nigerian sporting history.

This is a remarkable achievement and a proud moment for Nigeria, Gumel said.

For the pair, however, the work does not end with qualification.

Los Angeles now becomes the next target.

Nigeria will arrive at the 2028 Olympic Games with a beach volleyball team that has already demonstrated its ability to compete successfully against the continent’s leading nations.

Mbah and Bawa have spent the past two years building their partnership, gaining international experience and collecting medals.

Their latest victory has taken the Olympic Games qualifiers further than any Nigerian pair before.

From bronze at the African Games to African champions and now Olympic qualifiers, Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa have opened a new chapter for Nigerian volleyball.

Los Angeles 2028 will be the biggest stage yet.

And Nigeria will be there.

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The list, published ahead of the Games, highlights athletes and teams expected to play leading roles across the 10 sports on the programme, with more than 500 competitors from Africa due to compete between 23 July and 2 August.

Nigeria has the joint-highest representation on the list alongside South Africa, with hurdler Tobi Amusan, weightlifter Rafiatu Lawal, 3×3 basketball player Ike Nwamu and para powerlifter Folashade Oluwafemiayo all receiving recognition.

Here are the four Nigerians featured by Olympics.com:

1. Tobi Amusan (100m hurdles)

Olympics.com described the world record holder as one of the biggest stars heading to Glasgow.

The two-time Commonwealth champion will attempt to win a third consecutive women’s 100m hurdles title after arriving in Scotland in strong form, having claimed another African title and recorded a series of podium finishes on the Diamond League circuit.

2. Rafiatu Lawal (Weightlifting)

Lawal was recognised as one of Nigeria’s leading medal contenders after her dominant performances since Birmingham 2022.

The reigning Commonwealth champion in the women’s 59kg category has added a world championship silver medal and a third successive African title since finishing fifth at the Paris Olympics, strengthening her prospects of retaining her Commonwealth crown.

3. Ike Nwamu (3×3 basketball)

Tokyo Olympian Ike Nwamu was included as Nigeria prepares to make its Commonwealth Games debut in men’s 3×3 basketball.

The experienced guard has featured in the NBA G League and several European leagues and most recently represented D’Tigers at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket.

He is expected to lead Nigeria’s historic first appearance in the discipline, which returns for its second Commonwealth Games after debuting at Birmingham 2022.

4. Folashade Oluwafemiayo (Para powerlifting)

Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo also featured on the list.

The multiple Paralympic and world champion heads to Glasgow as the defending Commonwealth champion in the women’s heavyweight category and remains one of the favourites to retain her title.

Other African stars recognised for Glasgow 2026

Beyond Nigeria, Olympics.com highlighted several other leading athletes expected to make an impact in Glasgow.

South African swimming legend Chad le Clos will compete at his sixth Commonwealth Games as he attempts to add to his 18 medals, while Kenyan javelin thrower Julius Yego continues his pursuit of another major title.

South African gymnast Caitlin Rooskrantz, Zambia’s Commonwealth 400m champion Muzala Samukonga, Ghana‘s men’s 4x100m relay team, and Uganda‘s national netball team, the She Cranes, also made the list.

According to Olympics.com, the selected athletes and teams represent some of Africa’s strongest medal prospects and are expected to play prominent roles when competition begins in Glasgow.

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Coventry, 41, will also be the youngest to assume the position and won the election in the seaside resort of Costa Navarino, Greece, to land the most powerful job in world sport.

The seven-time Olympic swimming medallist, won in the first round of voting at the 144th IOC Session, defeating fellow candidates HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, David Lappartient, Johan Eliasch, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Lord Sebastian Coe and Morinari Watanabe.

President-elect Coventry said, “I am incredibly honoured and excited to be elected as President of the International Olympic Committee! I want to sincerely thank my fellow members for their trust and support.

“The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamt of this moment.

“I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC President, and also the first from Africa. I hope that this vote will be an inspiration to many people. Glass ceilings have been shattered today, and I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a role model.

“Sport has an unmatched power to unite, inspire and create opportunities for all, and I am committed to making sure we harness that power to its fullest. Together with the entire Olympic family, including our athletes, fans and sponsors, we will build on our strong foundations, embrace innovation, and champion the values of friendship, excellence and respect. The future of the Olympic Movement is bright, and I can’t wait to get started!”

After the election, IOC president Thomas Bach, whose 12-year term ends on June 23, 2025, congratulated Coventry on her victory.

“I warmly welcome the decision of the IOC members and look forward to strong cooperation, particularly during the transition period,” Bach said. “Congratulations to Kirsty Coventry on her election as the 10^th IOC President. The future of our Olympic Movement is bright.”

Coventry will serve an eight-year term, as outlined in IOC rules.

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The match kicks off at 6.30pm Spain time (5.30pm Nigeria time) at La Quinta Football Centre, Malaga, concluding the Super Falcons‘ training camp in Spain.

Both teams previously played to a 0-0 draw in their FIFA Women’s World Cup Group B opener at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on 21 July 2023. Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, saved a penalty kick by veteran Christine Sinclair and made 14 other crucial saves in that match.

Coach Randy Waldrum is expected to field a similar squad, retaining goalkeeper Nnadozie, defenders Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin, Michelle Alozie, and possibly Chidinma Okeke, along with midfielders Toni Payne, Christy Ucheibe, and Deborah Abiodun. The forward lineup may see changes, with captain Rasheedat Ajibade returning after missing the previous Canada match due to a red card in the Women AFCON semi-final against Morocco in July 2022. Uchenna Kanu and Chinwendu Ihezuo could also feature.

The nine-time African champions will travel to France on Thursday for further training, leading up to their opening match against Brazil at Stade Bordeaux on 25th July. Nigeria’s other group matches will be against Spain on 28th July and Japan on 31st July, both at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.

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Aruna, who made history as the first African to reach the quarterfinals of the table tennis event at the Olympic Games, currently holds the 19th world ranking, while Assar, who is the second African to reach the quarterfinals, is rated 22nd in the world.

The official seedings for the Games will be based on the 16th July ITTF World Rankings, revealing potential matchups that promise excitement for fans. The two African stars will be among the top seeds and are expected to kick off their campaign from the second round (round of 64) of the tournament on 28th July at the South Paris Arena.

All eyes will be on Aruna and Assar, with the Nigerian making his fourth Olympic Games appearance as he contends for a podium finish in Paris. Egypt’s Assar, who matched Aruna’s quarterfinal record at Tokyo 2020, is another player to watch out for in Paris. Assar joins Mohamed El-Beiali as Egypt’s representatives in the Men’s Singles. Meanwhile, Dina Meshref and Hana Goda will compete in the Women’s Singles event.

For the team event, the African champions have selected Youssef Abdel-Aziz to join Assar and El-Beiali in the men’s squad. Mariam Alhodaby will team up with Meshref and Goda for the women’s team event in Paris. Meshref and Assar will also compete in the Mixed Doubles event, which makes its second appearance in Paris after debuting at Tokyo 2020.

Joining Aruna in the Men’s Singles event is his compatriot, Olajide Omotayo. Other African players include Mehdi Bouloussa of Algeria and Ibrahima Diaw of Senegal. Madagascar‘s Fabio Rakotoarimanana will make history as the first player from the island nation to compete in the table tennis event at the Olympic Games. Saheed Idowu of Congo Brazzaville secured a Tripartite Invitation to participate in Paris.

In the Women’s Singles, Nigeria’s duo of Offiong Edem and Fatimo Bello, along with Cameroon‘s Sarah Hanffou and Algeria’s Lynda Loghraibi, complete the continent’s contingent in Paris.

The 10th Olympic appearance of table tennis promises an exciting blend of experience and youthful exuberance. The recent heroics of the French team, including the men’s team’s silver medal and the women’s team’s bronze at the ITTF World Championships Finals Busan 2024, have ignited anticipation in Paris.

The rise of young stars like the Lebrun brothers (Félix and Alexis) and Prithika Pavade has captivated the Parisian imagination. Fans eagerly await their hometown heroes’ pursuit of Olympic glory on home soil.

Beyond French flair, legendary player Ma Long of China bids farewell to the Olympics after Paris, and India makes its debut in the team events. A new Men’s Singles champion will emerge, while the Women’s Singles features a potential clash of titans as China’s Chen Meng defends her crown against top seed and compatriot Sun Yingsha.

Lastly, all eyes turn to Timo Boll, the iconic German player concluding his glittering 20-year career in the sport.

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According to the IOC, this move aims to shine a spotlight on the 36 inspirational athletes who have faced incredible challenges to reach their start line, and calls on everyone to get behind the team when they represent the over 100 million displaced people on the world’s biggest sporting stage.

The campaign begins with a graphic-novel-style short film that introduces the formidable sporting talents and unique personal stories of Refugee Olympic Team athletes, including Cindy Ngamba (boxing), Dorsa Yavarivafa (badminton) and Ramiro Mora (weightlifting), and Refugee Athlete Scholarship-holder Kavan Majidi (judo), whilst also drawing attention to the shocking scale of the global refugee crisis.

When the team made its debut at Rio 2016, there were close to 60 million displaced people globally. On the eve of Paris 2024, that number has now soared to well over 100 million and is still rising – that’s around 1 in 70 people living on our planet (UNHCR, 2023). Putting all the forcibly displaced people in one place would create the 14th most populous country in the world – and that population is increasing all the time.

Cindy Ngamba, boxing, Refugee Olympic Team, said: “Qualifying for the Olympic Games – that means everything to me. Each member of the Refugee Olympic Team has different backgrounds and life experiences, but sport unites us – we’re a family and we’re going to go out there, support each other, and show the world what we are can do.”

The film was crafted utilising cutting-edge AI technology. An integral aspect of the film’s production was the engagement of contributors affiliated with the refugee community, such as illustrator and author Engy Jarrouj, a refugee from Syria at creative studio Framestore. The film also features an original piece of music produced by recording artists Che Lingo and Manon Dave.

The film is part of a broader initiative that gives the team its own unique identity, nodding to the design of the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team emblem – a unifying symbol bringing together diverse athletes. The emblem features arrow markers, signifying the shared experience of their journeys, and a heart – originating from the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) logo, to represent the belonging the team hopes to inspire and that athletes and displaced people around the world have found through sport.

Ramiro Mora, Refugee Olympic Team, weightlifting, said: “I will be so proud stepping out wearing the Refugee Olympic Team emblem. To represent myself, my journey, but also the thousands of people who find themselves in similar circumstances as I did. I hope seeing us walk out at Paris 2024 will bring hope and inspiration to people everywhere”.

Founded by the IOC for the Olympic Games Rio 2016, to ensure that all athletes, no matter their circumstances, have the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games, the Refugee Olympic Team is managed by the ORF. Appearing at the Olympic Games for the third time, the Refugee Olympic Team will represent the over 100 million displaced people around the world and aims to be a symbol of inclusion and inspiration for everyone affected by displacement.

The Refugee Olympic Team for Paris 2024 was announced on 2 May, and is made up of 36 athletes, hosted by 15 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), competing across 12 sports: athletics, badminton, boxing, breaking, canoeing, cycling, judo, sport shooting, swimming, taekwondo, weightlifting and wrestling. The composition of the team is based on several criteria including, first and foremost, each athlete’s sports performance, and their host country refugee status as verified by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Consideration has also been given to a balanced representation of sport and gender, as well as the spread of countries of origin. Read more about each athlete here.

“1 in 100 Million” hopes to mobilise global support for the Refugee Olympic Team, encouraging fans to follow the athletes’ journey through @RefugeeOlympicTeam and show their support on social media with #ForThe100Million.

The ‘1 in 100 million’ film was directed by William Bartlett at Academy Award-winning animation and visual effects studio Framestore and produced by the IOC in collaboration with creative agency Gravity Road.

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The encounter at Nigeria’s capital’s magnificent facility will kick off at 4 pm, with Algerian referee Ghada Mehat officiating. Mehat’s compatriots, Asma Feriel Ouahab and Lamia Atman, will be in the roles of assistant referee 1 and fourth official, respectively, while Mariem Cheddad from Mauritania will serve as assistant referee 2.

Senegalese Fadouma Dia, a former FIFA referee, will be the referee assessor, while Ghanaian Christine Ziga will serve as commissioner.

For the return leg scheduled for South Africa (venue to be decided) on Tuesday, 9th April, the Confederation of African Football has appointed Tunisian official Dorsaf Ganouati as the referee. She will be assisted by compatriots Houda Afine (assistant referee 1) and Emna Ajbouni (fourth official), with Egyptian Yara Atef Abdelfattah as assistant referee 2.

Agar Mezing from Cameroon will be the referee assessor, while Cindy Dludlu from eSwatini will be the commissioner.

The Super Falcons saw off the challenge of Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses in the penultimate round of the race, with a single goal over the two legs scored by Esther Okoronkwo at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, while Banyana Banyana trounced Tanzania 4-0 over two legs in Dar es Salaam and Nelspruit.

The winner over two legs in early April will join 15 other senior women’s teams from across the globe for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament starting in Paris on 16th July.

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