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Super Falcons Were Determined To Win, But Lost To South Africa Because Of Individual Errors – Madugu
Nigeria’s female national team, Super Falcons’ head coach, Justine Madugu has blamed his side’s loss to South Africa on individual errors by some of his players, but conceded that he has to take full responsibility for the defeat.
Sports247 reports that Thursday night’s 2-1 slump in Casablanca, Morocco means the Falcons have failed to reach the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time since it’s inception in 1991 and Madugu admitted he deeply regrets the setback.
Read Also: ‘This Is a Wake-Up Call’ — Ajibade Urges Super Falcons to Rise After Historic World Cup Failure | Sports247 Nigeria
He, however, commended his players for what he described as their gallant efforts and determination, then repeatedly apologised for the unprecedented yet historic setback at this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026).
“I have to apologise to Nigerians for our inability to make it to the World Cup,” said the WAFCON 2024 winner in the same North African country. “We are very sorry, because it was not our intention to lose.
“Our players were determined to win, and they gave their all, but individual errors cost us the game. I am sorry and I take full responsibility for what happened, but there will always be a next time.”
Madugu continued to reflect on what went wrong during the play-off fixture, which was a last chance for the Falcons to stay in the race to Brazil 2027, and the embattled tactician admitted that his players lost too many scoring chances during the game.
“There were individual errors in terms of decision making. We had some chances but conversion was our problem. We were determined to win and it’s something that we really regret.
“We wanted to win, but we could; and we are sorry about it. This is something that has happened already, and there’s nothing we can do about it. I am sorry,” Madugu reiterated lamely.
Twenty-one local government area chairmen and 226 councillors in Adamawa State, all elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The wave of resignations began making headlines late on Monday, October 19, and continued into the early hours of Tuesday, with most of the defectors publishing resignation letters addressed to their respective party ward chairmen.
In their resignation letters, the council leaders generally cited personal reasons, saying their decisions followed wide consultations with their families and political associates.
The chairman of Demsa Local Government Area, Akham Jalo, said he consulted his family, political associates, stakeholders and “the good people of Demsa Local Government Area” before leaving the PDP for the APC.
“My decision to join the APC was informed by the need to align with the progressive vision of His Excellency, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, and to attract more dividends of democracy to the people of Demsa,” Jalo stated.
Commenting on the development, the Adamawa State APC Publicity Secretary, Victor Dogo, confirmed that the council leaders had joined the party.
“All the 21 local government area chairmen, area development administrators and the 226 councillors in the state have moved into our party,” Dogo affirmed.
He added that the council leaders decided to defect because they felt the need to align with their “godfather,” Governor Fintiri, whom he said had paved the way for them.
Daily Post recalls that the council leaders were elected on the platform of the PDP in June this year, four months after their “godfather,” Governor Fintiri, left the party.
They had earlier secured PDP tickets for the June 13, 2026, local government election and proceeded to contest and win their respective positions.
Since their inauguration on June 15, 2026, there had been widespread expectations that they would eventually defect to the APC. Consequently, the latest development has not come as a surprise to observers who have been following political developments in the state.
Femi Otedola, the chairman of First HoldCo Plc, has revealed that he shared a bunk bed with Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat during their boarding school days 49 years ago.
Mr Otedola disclosed this in a post on X after hosting a dinner in honour of his longtime schoolmate, Mr Hamzat, attended by Aliko Dangote, the president of Dangote Group, and Abdulsamad Rabiu, the chairman of BUA Group.
The business tycoon said Mr Hamzat’s character has been defined over the years by honesty, sincerity, fairness, and strong moral principles.
“Yesterday, I hosted dinner in honour of @DrObafemiHamzat, the incoming Governor of Lagos State,” Mr Otedola said.
“A man of the highest integrity, with whom I shared a bunk bed at boarding school 49 years ago,” he added.
Mr Otedola stated that his longstanding relationship with Mr Hamzat has given him insight into the deputy governor’s character and values.
“My experience of his character over the years has been defined by his honesty, sincerity, fairness and strong moral principles,” Mr Otedola said.
READ ALSO: Tinubu’s reforms have put Nigerian economy on path of sustainable growth – Otedola
He, however, did not disclose the name of the boarding school he attended with the Lagos State deputy governor.
The billionaire investor has interests in financial services and oil & gas. He holds about 27.7 per cent of First HoldCo’s shares, following months of steadily increasing his stake in the banking group.
Mr Hamzat is seeking to contest the 2027 governorship election in Lagos State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and has served as deputy governor under incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu since 2019.
He emerged as the APC governorship candidate in May 2026.
Mr Hamzat served as Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology and later as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure from 2005 to 2015.
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