Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has called for the dismissal of the entire Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board if the national team fails to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria’s qualification hopes are in serious jeopardy after a recent draw against South Africa left them third in Group C, six points adrift of leaders Bafana Bafana with just two games left to play.
Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, the ex-Chelsea midfielder blamed the country’s football crisis on poor leadership at the top.
“If Nigeria doesn’t qualify for the World Cup, the entire NFF board has to go… it’s unacceptable,” Mikel said.
“We didn’t qualify for Qatar — the last World Cup — and now it looks like again we are not going to make it. Do you blame the players? No. Yes, the players must take responsibility, but the biggest problem is from the top.”
“Accountability Is Needed”
Mikel, who won the 2013 AFCON with Nigeria, emphasized that those running football in the country must be held accountable for the Eagles’ declining fortunes.
He further lamented that repeated failures on the global stage fuel the perception that African football lacks seriousness.
Currently, Nigeria sit on 11 points after eight matches. To stand a chance of reaching the playoffs, the team must secure victories against Lesotho (away) and Benin Republic (home) while also hoping for favourable results elsewhere to qualify as one of Africa’s best runners-up.
