Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, has not held back in his critique of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), advocating for a complete overhaul of its leadership if the national team fails to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.As
reported by The Nation, Nigeria finds itself teetering on the brink of elimination following a crucial 1-1 draw against South Africa, which leaves them languishing in third place in Group C. With only two matches remaining, the Super Eagles are trailing behind group leaders Bafana Bafana by six points.
Speaking candidly on his podcast, Obi One, the former Chelsea star laid the blame for Nigerian football’s woes at the feet of the NFF, criticising its leadership for a lack of direction and accountability. “If Nigeria doesn’t make it to the World Cup, the entire NFF board has to be replaced. It’s simply inexcusable,” Mikel stated firmly.Highlighting
Highlighting Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the previous World Cup in Qatar, he described the current scenario as “horrible.”
Mikel acknowledged that while the players must take some responsibility, the core issues extend beyond them. “Can we blame the players entirely? No. They have a role, but the root problems originate from the top,” he explained, pointing to years of mismanagement that have tarnished Nigeria’s football reputation and undermined the credibility of African football.
Currently positioned with 11 points from eight matches, Nigeria’s path to qualification is precarious. To keep their slim hopes alive, they must win their remaining matches against Lesotho (away) and Benin Republic (home).
However, even victories in these games would only take them so far, as they would also require other results to go their way to qualify as one of the four best second-placed teams for a playoff berth.
Despite the hurdles, Mikel insists that the NFF must be accountable for its role in the national team’s struggles. “The main issue is leadership. Those managing football in Nigeria must step up,” he concluded. His sentiments echo the growing frustration among fans who are wary of Nigeria potentially missing consecutive World Cups for the first time since their debut in 1994.
COURTESY: sportygoal
