Nigeria, Aug. 14 -- Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu has apologised for his team's failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, admitting that defensive errors and poor finishing contributed to their painful 2-1 loss to South Africa.

Madugu spoke after the Falcons loss to Banyana Banyana in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) play-off at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Thursday.

The result ended Nigeria's hopes of reaching the 2027 World Cup and brought their historic run of qualifying for every edition of the tournament to an end.

"I have to apologise to Nigerians over our inability to make it to the World Cup. We are very sorry. It was not our intention.

"We came, did the best that we could,...