Former Super Eagles’ captain, John Mikel Obi has posited that the federal government must get involved in solving recent problems that are rocking the Nigerian national team, Sports247 reports.
Speaking against the backdrop of the Eagles’ 1-1 draw away to South Africa in the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Mikel opined that the result confirmed Nigeria’s absence from FIFA’s Mundial for the second straight edition, which he described as an unacceptable development.
The former Lyn Oslo of Norway, Chelsea of England, Tianjin TEDA of China and Trabzonspor of Turkey star further suggested that heads must roll in the upper echelon of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Mikel disclosed, “I feel for the people of my country. I feel for the people of Nigeria, because they are devastated right now. For the second time running, we’re not gonna qualify for the World Cup.
“If we don’t make it to this World Cup, if we don’t qualify, I think the whole board of the NFF needs to go. Sorry, they just have to go.”
The former midfielder went on to rate Nigeria as Africa’s best football playing nation, with several high-class players at the country’s disposal, hence his verdict that something drastic has to be done to turn the tide around once and for all.
“It’s not acceptable that, twice in a row, we’re not going to qualify for the World Cup. We are the biggest footballing country in Africa.
“We are the best in Africa, I don’t care what anybody says about that. When it comes to Africa, we are the biggest. So, why is it that we can’t qualify?
“Something is wrong, and a drastic change has to be done. If the government wants to get involved, let them get involved. In fact, they have to get involved because this is not acceptable,” Mikel stressed
‘The Catalyst’ concluded by admitting that part of the blame also goes to the stars who donned Nigeria’s jersey, as he averred: “Yes, the players have to take responsibility as well; but the biggest problem is from the top. From the top!”
