Mikel Obi, a former Super Eagle captain known widely for his time at Chelsea FC is calling for a total overhaul of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) if the Super Eagles fail to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. He believes the current leadership is ineffective and corrupt, citing poor decision-making and lack of support for national teams. Mikel Obi stated that if the team doesn’t qualify, the entire NFF board should resign, emphasizing that Nigeria’s size and football pride demand better.
Speaking on his podcast Obi one podcast he said I feel for my people that Nigeria is not going to qualify for a second World Cup in a row.
They are going to be devastated right now that for the second time, we are not going to qualify for the World Cup, If we don’t make it to the World Cup, I think the whole board of the NFF need to go.
They have to go if we don’t qualify for the World Cup. I am saying right now because it is not acceptable that we are not going to qualify for the World Cup twice in a row,”
The midfielder went on to say Nigeria remains the biggest footballing Nation on the African continent.
“We are the biggest footballing country in Africa. I don’t care what anybody says. Yes, Egypt have Mo Salah but Nigeria is the biggest football country when it comes to African football.
John Obi Mikel captained Nigeria to it’s last AFCON triumph in 2013 in South Africa he also represented the Nation at 2010, 2014 and 2018 World cups before retiring in 2019 aftermath 2019 CAF AFCON tournament in Egypt.
The Guild of Sports Editors in Nigeria shares similar sentiments, calling for the NFF board to resign if the team fails to qualify for the World Cup.
