Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has called for sweeping changes in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board if the national team fails to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria’s qualification hopes are hanging by a thread after the Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Tuesday.
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The team must now win its remaining two fixtures in October to stand a chance of securing a playoff spot.
Speaking on the Obi One Podcast on Thursday, the ex-Chelsea midfielder warned that missing a second consecutive World Cup would be catastrophic for Nigerian football and devastating for the fans.
“I feel for the people of my country. For the second time running, we’re not going to qualify for the World Cup. Does anything change if you don’t? It has to,” Mikel said.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner insisted that the NFF leadership, headed by Ibrahim Gusau, must take responsibility and resign if the team fails to reach the tournament.
“If we don’t make it to the World Cup, I just think the whole board of the NFF needs to go. Twice in a row we don’t qualify, something is wrong. A drastic change has to be done,” he declared.
Mikel also criticized the lack of motivation and poor conditions provided for players when on international duty, stressing that the leadership failure at the top is the root of the problem.
“Yes, the players have to take responsibility, but the biggest problem is from the top. If the government want to get involved, they have to get involved because it’s not acceptable,” he added.
Despite his frustrations, the former Super Eagles skipper urged fans to continue backing the team as the dream remains alive.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after a painful elimination by Ghana.
In the ongoing 2026 qualifiers, the Super Eagles sit third in Group C with 11 points, behind South Africa (17) and Benin Republic (14). Rwanda are also tied on 11 points but hold a superior goal difference.
Nigeria will face Lesotho and Benin in October, with elimination looming if results do not go their way.
