Former Super Eagles striker Victor Anichebe has delivered a scathing assessment of Nigerian football's leadership, pointing to what he describes as chronic incompetence as the fundamental reason behind the national team's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Painful Elimination
Nigeria's hopes of reaching the global tournament ended on Sunday, 20 November 2025, with a 3-1 penalty shootout loss to Congo DR. This devastating result means the Super Eagles will miss their second consecutive World Cup, following their absence from the 2022 edition.
Despite what he called the shame and frustration of this failure, Anichebe suggested this moment could become a catalyst for meaningful change in Nigerian football. The former Everton forward expressed his views through social media, stating that many people still fail to understand the core problem plaguing the sport's administration.
Root Causes Beyond Corruption
While acknowledging that corruption and financial mismanagement remain issues, Anichebe emphasized that deep, chronic incompetence represents the primary obstacle to progress. He criticized the practice of placing individuals in key positions who lack strategic vision, experience in high-performance environments, and understanding of what sustainable success requires.
The former international, who was recently appointed as Special Adviser on sports to Nigeria's South East Development Commission, stressed that Nigeria needs long-term planning rather than temporary solutions. Real change demands selflessness, long-term thinking, and building foundations that won't produce instant rewards, he wrote. It means trusting a process rather than chasing quick fixes.
Anichebe is currently leading implementation of the South East Grassroots Recreation Infrastructure Development programme, which aims to construct world-class sports facilities in schools and communities across the region to identify and nurture young talent.
Caution About Former Players Taking Over
Following Nigeria's World Cup qualification failure, many voices have called for former internationals to assume control of football administration. However, Anichebe cautioned against this approach unless proper foundations are established first.
We also need to be honest: simply being an ex-player is not a qualification, he stated. If someone hasn't expanded their knowledge, built their CV, studied, or gained the experience required, this role is not a birthright just because of past career achievements.
He concluded with a call for serious dialogue: If we want serious outcomes, we must start having serious conversations that lead to serious decisions.
Ekong Considers International Retirement
In related developments, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong is reportedly contemplating retirement from international football following Nigeria's World Cup exit. According to reports from soccernet.ng, the 32-year-old defender told teammates in the dressing room after the loss to DR Congo that he was considering ending his international career, stating, I will watch you as a fan at the AFCON.
This potential decision would mark a significant development for a player widely regarded as the emotional leader of the squad. Troost-Ekong made his Nigeria debut in 2015 and developed into one of the team's most reliable figures. His achievements include helping Nigeria win bronze at the 2019 AFCON, earning a spot in the tournament's group-stage Best XI in 2021, and captaining the Super Eagles to the 2023 AFCON final where he was named Player of the Tournament.
Recently, the former Watford and Udinese defender has seen reduced playing time, with Wilfred Ndidi assuming captaincy duties and 20-year-old Benjamin Fredrick emerging as the team's promising young defensive talent. Troost-Ekong's last competitive start came in Nigeria's 2-1 victory over Lesotho in Polokwane, where he scored.
With AFCON 2025 scheduled to begin in December, the football community now awaits Ekong's decision on whether he will extend his storied international career for one final tournament or conclude his service to the national team.
