Super Falcons defender Michelle Alozie has deactivated her Instagram account following intense criticism from Nigerian football fans after the team failed to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.
The development followed Nigeria’s disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, where the Super Falcons were eliminated by Cameroon in the quarter-finals.
The defeat ended Nigeria’s opportunity to secure automatic qualification for the World Cup. The Falcons were subsequently given another chance through a qualification play-off against South Africa.
However, Nigeria suffered a 2-1 defeat to Banyana Banyana in Casablanca, ending their hopes of reaching the 2027 tournament in Brazil.
The result brought an end to Nigeria’s remarkable record of appearing at every edition of the Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 1991.
Alozie, who has been a regular member of the national team and has attracted considerable attention for her social media presence, was among the players who faced criticism from disappointed supporters following the team’s failure.
Her Instagram account has since become inactive, with reports linking the move to the backlash surrounding the Falcons’ performance.
The Nigeria Football Federation has also come under pressure following the disappointing campaign and has established a fact-finding committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the team’s failure to qualify. Head coach Justine Madugu has apologised to Nigerians and accepted responsibility for the outcome.
The setback marks a major moment in Nigerian women’s football, with calls growing for reforms within the national team and the NFF.
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