Former NFF Boss Points Finger at Nigerians After World Cup Heartbreak
In a stunning accusation that has sparked nationwide controversy, former Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick has blamed Nigerian citizens for the Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Super Eagles' campaign ended in bitter disappointment during the African playoffs final, where they lost to DR Congo on penalties after a hard-fought battle. This marks the second consecutive World Cup that Nigeria will miss, having also failed to reach the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Rocky Road to Elimination
Nigeria's World Cup qualifying campaign began poorly, managing only three points from their first four matches under different coaching regimes. The team saw three managers during the qualifiers - Jose Peseiro and Finidi George each coached two matches before Eric Chelle took over in January 2025.
Despite Chelle guiding the team to the playoffs and an impressive 4-1 victory over Gabon in the semi-final, the Super Eagles ultimately fell short against DR Congo in the decisive penalty shootout.
The qualification failure was compounded by internal issues, including Nigerian players protesting unpaid bonuses and skipping training just 48 hours before their crucial match against Gabon. Although the NFF quickly resolved the payment issues, the damage to team morale and preparation had already been done.
Pinnick's Explosive Allegations
In his controversial comments, Pinnick claimed that some Nigerians actively wished for the team's failure due to personal vendettas against current NFF president Ibrahim Gusau.
"I can tell you today, some people were praying for Nigeria not to qualify because they want Ibrahim Gusau out of the NFF. That is the truth. That is how bad it is," Pinnick stated in an interview quoted by Brila.
The former football administrator emphasized the need for national reorientation among Nigerians and critical stakeholders in the football community. He argued that the constant allegations of corruption were damaging Nigerian football's progress.
"We must have orientation and reorientation among Nigerians and critical stakeholders. It is very important. People are quick to call others corrupt. It is not like that. Before football, we exist, and after football, we will exist," he added.
Fallout and Future Prospects
The World Cup failure has triggered widespread reactions across Nigeria, with many citizens calling for the entire NFF board to step down. The growing tensions have even prompted Chelsea legend Mikel Obi to declare his interest in running for the NFF presidency.
Mikel has been vocal about his desire to root out corruption in Nigerian football and focus on developing local talents and infrastructure.
With World Cup dreams shattered, the Super Eagles must now turn their attention to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. However, many Nigerian fans believe that even winning the AFCON trophy cannot compensate for missing two consecutive World Cups.
The failure has left Nigerian football at a critical crossroads, facing questions about management, player welfare, and the relationship between the team and its passionate supporters.
