Mikel is an ex player of Nigeria
Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has launched a scathing attack on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), insisting the board should be dissolved if the country fails to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada took another heavy blow on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, after they were held to a 1–1 draw by group leaders South Africa.
The result leaves the Super Eagles with just 11 points from eight matches, sitting third in CAF Group C, six points adrift of the Bafana Bafana, who have 17.
With only two games remaining, Nigeria’s destiny is no longer in their own hands, raising the real possibility of missing the World Cup for a second time running after also failing to reach Qatar 2022.
South Africa dent Nigeria’s World Cup dream
Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, Mikel Obi said the situation was unacceptable for a country of Nigeria’s football stature.
“I feel for the people of Nigeria because they are going to be devastated right now. For the second time running, we are not going to qualify for the World Cup. If we don’t make it, I just think the whole board of the NFF needs to go, because it’s not acceptable,” he said.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner stressed that the problems run deeper than performances on the pitch, pointing fingers at the administrators in charge of the game.
“We are one of the biggest footballing countries in Africa. Something is wrong, something has to be done. If the government wants to get involved, they should, because it’s not acceptable if we miss out for the second time in a row. The biggest problem is from the top. You have to make the players motivated and create a conducive environment. When they come back home to play for Nigeria, they have to feel comfortable. Right now, nobody is making them feel that way,” Mikel continued.
Nigeria will need to win their final two qualifiers and hope results elsewhere go in their favour if they are to stand any chance of sneaking into the playoffs and keeping their World Cup dream alive.
Watch the interview below:
FKA/MA
Meanwhile, watch the post-match conferences of Otto Addo, Tom Saintfiet and highlights of Ghana vs Mali game
