Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, has voiced strong dissatisfaction with the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), insisting that the board should step down if Nigeria fails to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria’s World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread after the Super Eagles managed only a draw against South Africa, leaving them third in Group C and six points adrift of leaders Bafana Bafana with just two matches remaining. The former Chelsea midfielder, speaking on his Obi One Podcast, bluntly linked Nigeria’s struggles to poor governance at the top.
“If Nigeria doesn’t qualify for the World Cup, the entire NFF board has to go… it’s unacceptable,” Mikel said. “We didn’t qualify for Qatar — the last World Cup — and now it looks like again we are not going to make it. Honestly, I have nothing to say about it. It is just horrible. Do you blame the players? No, I don’t. Yes, the players have to take responsibility, but can you blame them alone? No.”
Mikel, who has never shied away from discussing football administration in Nigeria, emphasized that leadership failures remain the greatest challenge. “Again, we’ve talked about this so many times, and that’s why people disrespect African football. Yes, the players have to take responsibility, but the biggest problem is from the top,” he added.
The 36-year-old stressed the need for accountability, pointing out that repeated failures cannot be excused. “Those running Nigerian football must be held accountable for the state of the team,” he said.
A legend of Nigerian football, Mikel Obi earned 91 caps and scored six goals for the Super Eagles between 2005 and 2019. Renowned for his composure, vision, and leadership, he was pivotal in Nigeria’s triumph at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and captained the side at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, after playing a key role in the 2014 campaign. His influence across three AFCON tournaments, alongside his consistency at club and national level, cements his reputation as one of Nigeria’s most dependable and celebrated midfielders.
