Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has insisted that even winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will not make up for Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He described the miss as “an absolute shame” and called for accountability within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, Mikel stressed that while lifting the AFCON trophy would be a major achievement, it cannot erase the disappointment of missing out on the world’s biggest football stage.
“But does it 100% make it up for it [winning AFCON]? I don’t think so, because we want to see ourselves in the World Cup,” he said.
He argued that Nigerian fans have been denied the chance to watch stars like Victor Osimhen showcase their talent at the World Cup, which he described as the ultimate platform for footballers.
Mikel went further to demand the resignation of the entire NFF board, accusing them of repeated failures in their primary responsibility of ensuring Nigeria’s qualification for major tournaments.
“If we do not qualify for the World Cup, the NFF, the whole board has to go. They have to go, because you can’t keep repeating the same mistake every time and thinking something is going to change,” he declared.
Context
- Nigeria failed to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
- The Super Eagles’ elimination came after a playoff defeat to DR Congo, sparking widespread criticism of the team’s management.
- Despite being tipped as strong contenders for the upcoming AFCON 2025 in Morocco, Mikel insists that continental success cannot substitute for the global stage.
