Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has launched a stinging criticism of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, describing the situation surrounding the national team as unacceptable and embarrassing.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Mikel said he is deeply disappointed that the Nigeria Football Federation appears not to have learned from past failures, particularly the mistakes that led to the Super Eagles missing out on the FIFA World Cup.
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“I’m not impressed at all with the preparation. After everything that happened with the World Cup qualifiers, you would expect things to be better,” Mikel said.
The former Chelsea midfielder specifically referenced reports that head coach Eric Chelle is owed outstanding salaries, calling the situation damaging to the team’s image.
“How do you owe a coach money at this stage? It’s shameless. This is not how serious football nations operate,” he added.
Mikel warned that administrative distractions can negatively affect players’ focus and morale, especially ahead of a major tournament like AFCON.
“When issues like this are in the public space, it affects everyone — the coach, the players, and even the fans,” he explained.
The former skipper stressed that AFCON should have been an opportunity for the federation to rebuild trust with Nigerians after recent disappointments.
“This was supposed to be the time to save face and show that lessons were learned. Instead, it’s the same story again,” Mikel said.
Despite his criticism, Mikel reiterated his support for the players, urging them to stay focused and block out distractions.
“The players still have a responsibility to give their best for the country, regardless of what is happening off the pitch,” he noted.
He also called on the NFF to act quickly and resolve all outstanding issues before the tournament begins.
“You can’t go into AFCON with unresolved problems. Everything must be sorted now,” he said.
Mikel concluded by urging Nigerians to demand higher standards from those running the game.
“Nigeria deserves better. Our football deserves better,” he added.
As the Super Eagles head to Morocco, Mikel’s comments highlight growing concern over preparation, governance, and whether Nigeria can truly focus on football when administrative issues continue to dominate the conversation.
