Chairman of the Kogi State Football Association, Hassan Wada, has defended the Nigeria Football Federation against growing criticism following the country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Wada argued that the NFF’s performance should be assessed across a broader period rather than being judged solely on World Cup qualification.
Read Also: Berhman Backs Nigeria’s Hockey Teams to Shine at African Games | Sports247 Nigeria
The Kogi FA chairman pointed to Nigeria’s recent performances at the Africa Cup of Nations, highlighting the Super Eagles’ second-place finish at the 2023 AFCON and third-place finish at the 2025 edition.
He also cited the Super Falcons’ success at the previous Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco as evidence that Nigerian football has continued to achieve significant results under the current administration.
“The failure to qualify for the World Cup should not be the only yardstick for judging the NFF.”
Wada believes the recent World Cup disappointments should instead prompt stakeholders to support efforts to restore stability and improve the national teams.
His defence comes amid intense pressure on the NFF leadership following Nigeria’s failure to reach the men’s World Cup for a second consecutive edition and the Super Falcons’ historic absence from the women’s tournament for the first time.
The argument over the NFF’s record has become increasingly polarised, with former internationals and other stakeholders calling for changes to the federation’s leadership and governance structure.
Wada, however, believes the federation’s achievements should also be taken into consideration.
The Kogi FA chairman has previously backed continuity within the national team setup, including supporting the NFF’s decision to retain Eric Chelle as Super Eagles head coach. (sports247.ng)
He has argued that constant changes can undermine long-term development and that coaches and administrators need sufficient time to implement their plans.
Wada’s position also reflects his broader belief that Nigerian football needs stability rather than reacting to every disappointing result with wholesale administrative changes.
The current debate comes as the NFF faces renewed scrutiny over its electoral process and the administration of the national teams.
For Wada, Nigeria’s World Cup failures are serious setbacks, but they should be assessed alongside the country’s continental achievements before conclusions are reached about the overall performance of the NFF.
