NFF Under Fire As Mikel Obi Reacts Following S’Eagles World Cup Hope Fallout

NFF Under Fire As Mikel Obi Reacts Following S’Eagles World Cup Hope Fallout

Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, had called for the removal of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Mikel’s demand came after the Super Eagles’ qualification hopes collapsed, with the team finishing third in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.

Despite fighting to the end, Nigeria’s slim chances were dashed after dropping crucial points in the campaign.

In his reaction, Mikel blamed the country’s poor outing on the NFF’s “failed leadership” and insisted that those in charge of Nigerian football must be held accountable for the decline of the national team.

“If Nigeria doesn’t qualify for the World Cup, the entire NFF board has to go… it’s unacceptable,” the former Chelsea star said on the Obi One Podcast.

“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.”

“Yes, the players have to take responsibility but the biggest challenge is from the top,” he added.

The Super Eagles ended the qualifiers on 11 points from eight matches, falling short of the tally needed to reach the playoffs as one of Africa’s best runners-up.