M. Badou Ezaki has resigned from his position as the national football team coach of Niger, according to reports from MENA. The departure of the coach comes ahead of upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. M. Issaka Adamou stated that M. Ezaki's resignation was due to "personal reasons," a detail that has emerged following the announcement.
Federation's Reaction to Departure
The President of the Nigerien Football Federation (Fenifoot), M. Issaka Adamou, confirmed the resignation during a press briefing held on Sunday in Niamey. Fenifoot received notification of the resignation on July 19. M. Adamou described the departure of the Moroccan technician, Badou Ezaki, as "a big blow for us." He further stated that Badou Ezaki "did colossal work with the national team, the players and especially the staff," acknowledging the significant contributions made during his tenure. The Federation President, M. Issaka Adamou, indicated that officials were "surprised to learn of this resignation," showing the unexpected nature of the coach's departure. This surprise reaction from the federation notes the impact of M. Ezaki's decision on the national team's preparations.
AFCON 2027 Qualification Context
The resignation of Badou Ezaki occurs as the Nigerien national team prepares for the qualifiers of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027. The 2027 AFCON is scheduled to be hosted jointly by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, marking a significant event for East African football. The qualification campaign is set to commence next September, with qualification matches spread across three distinct FIFA calendar periods. Matchdays 1 and 2 will be held from September 21 to October 6, 2026; Matchdays 3 and 4 from November 9 to 17, 2026; and Matchdays 5 and 6 from March 22 to 30, 2027. This staggered schedule provides teams with specific windows for competitive play.
The draw for the 2027 CAN qualifiers was conducted on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Egyptian Football Federation headquarters in Cairo. Niger's national team has been placed in Group A for the qualifiers, alongside formidable opponents Morocco, Gabon, and Lesotho. This grouping presents a challenging path to qualification for the Nigerien side. For the competition, the two best-ranked teams from each group will advance, intensifying the competition within Group A as teams vie for one of the coveted spots in the main tournament. The upcoming qualification matches are key for Niger's aspirations to compete at the highest level of African football.
Looking Forward and Replacement Search
Despite the setback, the resignation is a "hard blow" but "not a brake in the process of qualification," Nigerien football chief M. Issaka Adamou stated. He emphasized that the departure "does not call into question the objective we have set for ourselves," adding that they are "more determined than ever to qualify for this CAN," reiterating the federation's unwavering commitment. M. Adamou showed that the federation is building a team, not something centered around one individual, and that the values M. Ezaki brought are now "an asset" that will continue to benefit the squad. The President of Fenifoot does not consider the departure of the Moroccan technician a fatality, noting they will find a solution in the continuity of the work done, ensuring a smooth transition.
Since M. Ezaki's resignation, Fenifoot has received several applications for his replacement, indicating significant interest in the coaching position. Between July 19, the date of notification, and July 26, a significant number of CVs were submitted by individuals interested in coaching Niger, demonstrating the appeal of leading the national team. M. Issaka Adamou also sent a message to the current players and staff, encouraging them to remobilize and maintain their focus on the upcoming challenges, ensuring team morale remains high during this period of change. The federation is now tasked with selecting a new coach who can build upon M. Ezaki's foundation and lead Niger to success in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.