Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel called for the immediate resignation of all Nigeria Football Federation officials. He reacted sharply after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Mikel Voices Strong Criticism
John Obi Mikel spoke out in a direct interview. Consequently he described the latest failure as a disaster and a hammer blow to Nigerian football.
Moreover, he pointed directly at the leadership. “I’ve said it so many times that the FA, the people at the FA, they should all resign” he stated. “They have to resign because it’s the second time it’s happened.”
Nigeria Suffers Playoff Defeat
Nigeria lost to DR Congo on penalties in the final playoff round in November 2025. As a result the Super Eagles missed the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In addition this marked the second consecutive absence. Nigeria also failed to reach the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Mikel Targets Top Leadership
John Obi Mikel named NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau in his criticism. Therefore he insisted the entire board must step down to allow fresh leadership.
Furthermore the former midfielder stressed that repeated failures proved the current structure no longer worked for Nigerian football.
Fans Echo Calls for Change
Supporters across Nigeria reacted with widespread anger on social media. In addition many joined Mikel in demanding total reform at the federation.
Consequently the pressure mounted on the NFF to respond to the growing public outcry.
Implications for Nigerian Football
The latest miss left a major gap in Africa’s football landscape. Moreover, analysts noted that Nigeria, once a powerhouse, now risked further decline without urgent changes.
As a result John Obi Mikel urged swift action to rebuild the team and restore confidence among players and fans.
