Mikel Obi Calls for NFF Resignations After Super Eagles' World Cup Failure
Former Nigerian international John Obi Mikel has issued a strong demand for the resignation of the entire board of the Nigeria Football Federation, led by President Ibrahim Musa Gusau. This call comes in the wake of the Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a setback that has sparked widespread criticism and disappointment among fans and former players alike.
Details of the World Cup Qualification Failure
The Nigeria national football team was eliminated from the qualification race after a tense penalty shootout defeat to the DR Congo national football team in November 2025. This marks a significant low point for Nigerian football, as the country has now missed the World Cup for the second consecutive time, following their absence in 2022. Since making their debut at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Nigeria have only missed the tournament three times: in 2006, 2022, and now 2026, with this latest failure representing their first consecutive absence in that period.
Mikel's Strong Criticism and Call for Accountability
Speaking with talkSPORT, Mikel, who earned 89 caps for Nigeria and represented the country at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups, expressed his frustration over what he described as a disastrous campaign. He emphasized that those in charge of Nigerian football must accept responsibility for the team's shortcomings. "It's a hammer blow," Mikel stated, "and I've said it so many times that when you have a country as big as we do, over 300 million people, the biggest country in Africa and we're not going to the World Cup for a second time in a row, the FA, the people that are running the FA should all resign. They have to resign because it's the second time that it's happened."
Mikel further highlighted the disparity in progress between Nigeria and other African nations, pointing to the Morocco national football team as an example of growth and development. "We have one of the best teams in Africa and we're not going to be at the World Cup. It's a disaster. So the people running the FA, the president of the FA, the organisation people, they have to resign because African football is growing so much and we are being left behind. Nigeria's been left behind. We should be leading the way. Look at what Morocco is doing with their team, with their country. They're growing; they're developing and we keep going backwards time after time."
Implications for Nigerian Football
This failure has raised serious questions about the management and direction of football in Nigeria. With the Super Eagles considered one of the top teams in Africa, their inability to secure a World Cup spot for two consecutive tournaments underscores systemic issues within the NFF. Mikel's call for resignations reflects a broader sentiment among stakeholders who believe that accountability and change are necessary to revive Nigerian football and ensure future success on the international stage.
