Nigeria’s chances of making it to the 2026 World Cup appear slimmer by the day, yet instead of addressing deeper issues, the Nigeria Football Federation seems more interested in pointing fingers.
Following the 1-1 draw against South Africa in Bloemfontein on September 9, the NFF released a surprising statement that singled out striker Cyriel Dessers and captain William Troost-Ekong for blame. Dessers, the body claimed, was sluggish, failed to win aerial duels, and struggled to spark any real attack. But critics argue this sort of scapegoating only exposes how badly the federation is missing the point.
Nigeria’s faltering World Cup campaign cannot be pinned on one or two players. It is the product of years of mismanagement, poor planning, and a football system in decline. The truth is, the Super Eagles have been living on past glory for far too long.
Since their impressive debut at USA ’94, Nigeria qualified for back-to-back tournaments in 1998 and 2002, creating the illusion that reaching the finals was a routine affair. Angola’s shock qualification at Nigeria’s expense in 2006 should have been a reality check, but the lessons were ignored. Though the Eagles recovered to qualify for the next three editions between 2010 and 2018, disaster struck again when they missed out on Qatar 2022. Now, history looks ready to repeat itself.
With only 11 points from eight games, the Super Eagles sit third in Group C behind South Africa and Benin Republic. Draws against Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, coupled with a painful loss to Benin, have left Nigeria’s campaign in tatters. Even wins over Rwanda home and away did little to lift the gloom.
Two matches remain — away to Lesotho and at home to Benin. For Nigeria to sneak into North America, they must win both and hope for a collapse from their rivals. Even a potential FIFA sanction against South Africa for allegedly fielding an ineligible player may not be enough to alter the odds. The dream that once looked assured when FIFA expanded the World Cup to 48 teams is now fading fast.
The roots of this crisis run deeper than poor results. Years of chaotic football administration, inconsistent coaching appointments, and a weak domestic league have eroded Nigeria’s competitive edge. Coaches have been shuffled without a clear plan, from George Finidi to Jose Peseiro, Austin Eguavoen, and now Eric Chelle. The result is instability, lack of direction, and players who are rarely motivated.
With overdependence on foreign-based stars and a neglected local league, the Super Eagles lack the depth and cohesion that should drive a successful campaign. Training camps are often disorganized, players arrive late, and preparation feels like an afterthought. The federation’s reliance on intimidation and passion over professionalism has left Nigeria lagging behind.
As former captain Mikel Obi bluntly stated, if the Eagles fail to qualify, the entire NFF board should resign to pave the way for a complete reset of Nigerian football.
For a way forward, Nigeria needs to look at Morocco. The Atlas Lions have shown what deliberate investment and long-term planning can achieve, becoming the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal and already securing qualification for 2026.
President Bola Tinubu’s move to replace the Ministry of Sports with the National Sports Commission offers an opportunity for change. But real progress will only come if the NFF embraces professionalism and stops fighting the wrong battles.
