Former Super Eagles captain, Mikel John Obi, has called for a complete overhaul of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should the national team fail to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Afrosport reports.
Nigeria’s qualification hopes hang in the balance after a 1-1 draw against South Africa in Bloemfontein on Tuesday. The result leaves the Super Eagles third in Group C with 11 points — six behind group leaders South Africa and three adrift of Benin — with just two matches remaining.
The three-time African champions have endured a subpar qualification campaign, recording only two wins from eight matches. The team is currently managed by Eric Chelle, their third head coach since the qualifiers began in November 2023.
Mikel, who led Nigeria to their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations triumph and earned 91 caps during his 14-year international career, has placed the blame squarely on the NFF for the team’s underwhelming performance.
Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, the former Chelsea midfielder expressed frustration at the current state of Nigerian football: “If Nigeria doesn’t qualify for the World Cup, the entire NFF board has to go… it’s unacceptable.
“We didn’t qualify for Qatar — the last World Cup — and now it looks like we are not going to make it again. Honestly, I have nothing to say about it.
“It is just horrible. Do you blame the players? No, I don’t blame the players. Yes, the players have to take responsibility for the situation, but are you going to blame the players alone? No.”
The 38-year-old reiterated that the root of the problem lies with football administrators, insisting that those in charge must be held accountable for the ongoing crisis.
“Yes, the players have to take responsibility, but the biggest challenge is from the top,” Mikel added. “Again, we talk about it so many times, and that’s why you have people disrespect the African continent and football.”
The Super Eagles must win their remaining two fixtures in October — away to Lesotho and at home against Gernot Rohr’s Benin — while hoping other results go in their favour to stand a chance of securing a place at the 2026 World Cup.
