Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, has said the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board should be sacked if the national team fails to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria’s qualification hopes dimmed after a 1-1 draw with South Africa in Bloemfontein left the Super Eagles third in Group C on 11 points, six adrift of the leaders with just two games remaining.
Mikel, speaking on the Obi One Podcast blamed the results on administration by the federation.
“If Nigeria doesn’t qualify for the World Cup, the entire NFF board has to go… It’s unacceptable,” the former Chelsea midfielder 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 blame the players. Yes, the players have to take responsibility for the situation but are you gonna blame the players alone? No.
“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 now win their remaining fixtures, away to Lesotho and at home against Benin Republic, while relying on favourable results elsewhere to have any chance of reaching the playoffs as one of Africa’s best runners-up.
