Former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has urged Nigerian football to turn the page on the disappointment of missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the country cannot afford another qualification failure ahead of the 2030 tournament.
The former Real Sociedad midfielder believes the painful lessons from Nigeria’s recent World Cup campaign should serve as a wake-up call for everyone involved in the game, from administrators and coaches to the players.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup despite Africa receiving 10 qualification slots, marking the second consecutive edition the Super Eagles will miss.
“Nigeria cannot afford to miss another World Cup. I believe everyone has learned from what happened, and things must be different going forward,” Adepoju said.
Popularly known as ‘The Headmaster’ for his aerial ability during his playing days, Adepoju expressed confidence that the current generation of Super Eagles players understands the importance of returning Nigeria to football’s biggest stage.
The 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner and FIFA World Cup veteran noted that the players themselves will be highly motivated to avoid another disappointment when the race for the 2030 World Cup begins.
“The players know what it means to represent Nigeria at the World Cup, and I’m sure they will do everything possible to make sure we qualify next time,” he added.
Adepoju represented Nigeria at the 1994, 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups, helping the Super Eagles establish themselves as one of Africa’s most respected teams during one of the country’s most successful eras.
Attention will gradually shift to Nigeria’s preparations for future international competitions, with the Super Eagles expected to continue building under head coach Eric Chelle ahead of the next major qualification campaigns.
