Nigeria’s Super Eagles will miss out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, the United States, and Canada next year, following a disappointing run in the qualifiers. The team struggled to reach the intercontinental playoff, with Eric Chelle’s squad being eliminated by DR Congo, ending any hopes of participating in the global tournament.
In the wake of the World Cup qualification failure, calls for a revival of Nigerian football have intensified as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) approaches. Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has voiced his interest in running for the presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), citing the need to tackle corruption and improve governance in the country’s football administration.
“When I know I can give my opinion and help, I will always be ready. But again, I won’t have corruption tied to me. I am never going to do that if I am going to say yes,” Obi Mikel told reporters. “If you want us to go forward, you must make sure things are done properly. Get the right people, people that have the same direction and thought, so when the players come back home to play, there is a good environment for them to play and perform.”
Meanwhile, former Super Eagles forward, Victor Anichebe, criticized the NFF on social media, calling for “real change and serious decision” in the administration of Nigerian football. Both Obi Mikel and Anichebe’s statements reflect growing frustration among stakeholders, fans, and former players, highlighting the urgent need for structural reforms in Nigerian football.
With the AFCON 2025 approaching, there is renewed pressure on the NFF to ensure a more organized and accountable system that supports players and strengthens the national team’s performance on the continental stage.
