Abuja: The first time I watched the Super Eagles play on the world stage was at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. I can recall the scene vividly as we gathered in our neighbour’s living room to watch the Super Eagles take on Argentina in the first group game.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Super Eagles have now failed to qualify for two consecutive World Cups, much to the disappointment of their fans. The team, with talented players spread across Europe, was expected to secure a spot in the upcoming World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This year’s tournament is notable for being the first to include ten African countries. Unfortunately, the Super Eagles did not make the cut, raising concerns about the future of Nigerian football.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has been at the center of the criticism for the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify. Former internationals and journalists have pointed fingers at the NFF, accusing it of poor management and a lack of learning from past mistakes, particularly the loss of a World Cup ticket to Ghana in 2022. John Mikel, a former Nigerian and Chelsea legend, publicly criticized the NFF’s mismanagement, calling for an overhaul of the federation to restore the country’s football pride.
Former Super Eagles midfielder Sunday Oliseh echoed these sentiments, warning that another failure to qualify for the World Cup could spell disaster for Nigerian football. He compared the situation to that of Italy, which suffered a similar fate, emphasizing the detrimental effects on sponsorship, talent development, and international recognition.
The Guild of Sports Editors of Nigeria also criticized the NFF’s handling of the team management, particularly the delay in appointing a substantive manager. The editors highlighted the lack of urgency in addressing the team’s qualifying prospects, which contributed to the missed opportunity.
The road to the 2026 World Cup appeared promising for Nigeria, with the expansion of African slots to nine and an additional chance through intercontinental play-offs. However, despite being drawn in a seemingly favorable group, the Super Eagles failed to capitalize on this opportunity. Under Coach Peseiro, the team struggled in early qualifiers, leading to calls for his dismissal. The NFF’s decision to retain him was met with skepticism, and eventually, Peseiro was replaced by Finidi George.
Finidi’s tenure was short-lived as he also failed to secure wins in crucial matches. His replacement, Malian Coach Eric Chelle, brought some hope by leading Nigeria to the continental playoffs. However, the team fell short against DR Congo, missing out on the intercontinental ticket.
Sports Manager Olubunmi Haruna emphasized the NFF’s lack of organization as a key factor in Nigeria’s failure to qualify. He stressed the importance of nurturing talent from age-grade teams to prevent future disappointments. Similarly, Godwin Bamigboye, Chairman of the FCT Coaches Association, attributed the failure to inadequate preparation and lack of commitment, urging the NFF to invest in the team’s competitiveness.
Despite the setbacks, there is a glimmer of hope under Coach Chelle’s leadership. The Super Eagles displayed promising performances at the AFCON 2025, narrowly losing to the host in the semi-finals. Chelle’s introduction of new talents has revitalized the team, giving Nigerians a reason to believe in a brighter future for their football on the world stage.