Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has taken direct aim at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after the national team failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria’s heartbreaking 4-3 penalty loss to DR Congo in Rabat has sparked nationwide frustration, but Mikel believes the blame lies firmly with the football administrators, not the players.
Speaking on a fiery episode of The Obi One Podcast, Mikel did not mince words. He accused the NFF of years of incompetence, corruption, and mismanagement — all of which, he claims, robbed Nigerians of another World Cup appearance.
“For the past eight years, this NFF have deprived the common Nigerian the chance to watch our team on the biggest stage,” he said. “They have deprived us by mismanagement, corruption; whichever way you look at it.”
The 2013 AFCON champion insisted that giving the current leadership more time would only guarantee further failure.
“It’s still gonna be the same result which is failure because they don’t know how to do it. What they are interested in is what comes in put in their pockets,” he added.
Beyond the sporting disappointment, Mikel highlighted how emotionally devastating the failure has been for millions of Nigerians who see football as a rare source of unity and joy.
He stressed that football cuts across religion, tribe, and social class — something few other things achieve in the country.
“Football is the one thing that holds people together,” he said. “Whether you are a Muslim or a Christian, major tribes in Nigeria; the one thing that brings us together is football.”
According to Mikel, when the Super Eagles play — especially at the World Cup — Nigerians momentarily forget their struggles.
He ended with a powerful message: “Enough is enough, stop and take a break; just do the right thing.”
Despite the disappointment, there’s still hope for redemption. The Super Eagles will shift their focus to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicking off in December, where they will fight to restore pride, belief, and unity among fans.
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