Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel has called on officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to resign following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the tournament were dashed after a defeat to DR Congo in the CAF World Cup Playoff Qualifiers Final.
It will be Nigeria’s second consecutive absence from the World Cup.
The former Super Eagles midfielder described the situation as a “disaster” and urged those in charge of Nigerian football to step down.
“It’s a hammer blow and I’ve said it so many times again, when you have a country as big as we do, over 200 million people; the biggest country in Africa; and we’re not going to the World Cup for a second time in a row.”
“The people running the FA they should all resign. They have to resign because it’s the second time it has happened.”
“We have one of the best teams in Africa and we’re not going to be in the World Cup. It’s a disaster. It’s a disaster.”
“So the people running the FA, the president and others, they have to resign because African football is growing so much and we are being left behind. Nigeria has been left behind.”
“We should be leading the way. Look at what Morocco is doing with their team, with their country. They’re growing, they’re developing and we keep going backwards time after time.”
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Mikel’s frustration reflects the disappointment among Nigerian football fans, especially given the quality within the current squad.
John Obi Mikel represented Nigeria at two FIFA World Cups and was part of the squad that won the 2013 AFCON.
