Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has urged the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to step down following the country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The ex-midfielder described the situation as a major setback for Nigerian football after the Super Eagles missed out on the global tournament for a second consecutive time.
Nigeria’s qualification campaign ended in dramatic fashion after a defeat on penalties to the DR Congo national football team in the second round of African qualifying last November.
The result confirmed that the three-time African champions will not feature at the next World Cup in North America unless an unlikely late decision from FIFA alters the outcome.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
For a country widely considered one of Africa’s traditional football powers, the failure has sparked strong reactions from former players and supporters.
Mikel, who earned 89 caps for Nigeria and represented the team at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, said the outcome was difficult to accept given the nation’s football pedigree.
“When you have a country as big as Nigeria with such a huge population and football culture, not qualifying for the World Cup twice in a row is very painful,” he said.
Obi was part of the 2013 squad that won Nigeria’s third AFCON. Photo Credit: Imago
The former Chelsea midfielder believes the repeated disappointment should prompt serious reflection within the federation.
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According to Mikel, those responsible for running the sport in the country must take responsibility and make way for changes that could help rebuild the national team.
“I’ve said it many times the people running the FA should all resign,” he said.
“It’s the second time we’ve failed to qualify for the World Cup, and there has to be accountability.”
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Mikel also warned that Nigeria risks falling behind other African nations if urgent reforms are not introduced.
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He pointed to the progress made by the Morocco national football team as an example of how strategic investment and planning can elevate a country’s standing in international football.
