Mansur Abdullahi Urges Calm for Banyana Banyana Clash

Mansur Abdullahi, the former assistant coach of the Super Falcons, has called for calm among the team as they prepare for their World Cup play-off match against South Africa on Thursday. Abdullahi, who is currently the Technical Director at Sokoto United and serves as the Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, believes that Nigeria's performance at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations was better than perceived.

He advised the players to utilize the opportunity presented by the upcoming match to secure a spot in the FIFA Intercontinental Play-Off Tournament, which could lead to qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Abdullahi has been a proponent of increased investment in grassroots women's football in Nigeria and has consistently advocated for patience with the current players amid scrutiny following the team's quarter-final exit to Cameroon.