Nigeria’s Super Eagles crashed out of World Cup qualification, losing 4-3 on penalties to DR Congo after a 1-1 draw. as reported by Softfootball This marks the second World Cup in a row the team will miss since 2018, and Nigerians are furious, with criticism pouring in over the management of the NFF.
Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi, who has previously called for reform in Nigerian football, didn’t hold back this time. In a passionate online video posted by Obionepodcast via his official X account.
He spoke directly to the camera, arguing that football is one of the few things that unites Nigerian Muslims, Christians, Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo and provides moments of joy amid economic hardships.
He said:
Football is the one thing,It’s the one thing that brings people together. Doesn’t matter the economy, it doesn’t matter the suffering. When there is football, when there is the World Cup, we support our own. We support Nigeria.
He went further, taking aim at the NFF.
For the past eight years, this federation has deprived the common Nigerian the chance to watch our team, our country, on the biggest stage. Corruption playbook. That’s what you have to do. Enough is enough. Stop. Just do the right thing.
Mikel’s frustration resonated with fans online, many pointing to the constant coaching changes and player boycotts during qualifiers as signs of deeper issues in Nigerian football governance.
He added:
Whichever way you look at it, they have. Another four years under the same system? Same result. Failure.
All they care about is what comes in and goes straight into their pockets. That has to stop. Football has to remain what we cherish. We have the talent. We have the potential.
Watch the full video below:
As Nigeria now faces another long wait for the World Cup, Mikel Obi’s words have reignited national debate, with fans demanding real reform and accountability from the NFF before the next campaign
