Former Nigeria captain John Mikel Obi has strongly criticized the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria missed out on automatic qualification but reached the playoffs alongside Gabon, Cameroon, and DR Congo. After eliminating Gabon, the Super Eagles fell short in the decisive clash against DR Congo last Sunday, losing 9-8 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in extra time. The defeat means Nigeria will miss consecutive World Cup tournaments for the first time in decades.

Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, Mikel expressed his frustration:

“It’s a failure, that’s what it is. It was just a disappointment. We won against Gabon, but couldn’t defeat Congo. It’s all just negative, and that’s my frustration with the NFF. They’re not the right people to motivate these players.”

Nigeria’s Next Focus: AFCON 2025

With World Cup hopes dashed, Nigeria will now turn their attention to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to be hosted in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026. The Super Eagles, three-time AFCON champions, will look to bounce back and restore pride on the continental stage.