‘Enough is enough’ — Super Eagles legend Mikel slams NFF over Nigeria’s World Cup failure

Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has launched a blistering attack on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following the national team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria lost 4-3 on penalties to DR Congo in the playoff final in Rabat, a defeat Mikel says should never have happened under competent leadership.

Mikel was livid in a viral episode of The Obi One Podcast, where he squarely blamed the NFF for “depriving” Nigerians of another World Cup appearance. The 2013 AFCON winner said the failure was not about the players but about years of administrative decay.

In his words: “For the past eight years, this NFF have deprived the common Nigerian the chance to watch our team… on the biggest stage. They have deprived us that by mismanagement, corruption; whichever way you look at it.”

He added that giving the current leadership more time would only repeat the same disastrous result. “It’s still gonna be the same result which is failure because they don’t know how to do it… What they are interested in is what comes in put in their pockets.”

The former Chelsea star insisted that football must return to being the priority, stressing: “Football has to be the main thing because this is what we cherish; this is what we have talent and potential.”

Beyond the World Cup disappointment, Mikel lamented the emotional toll the failure has taken on millions of Nigerians who rely on football as a unifying force. He highlighted how the sport transcends religion, tribe, and economic hardship.

According to him: “Football is the one thing that holds people together… Whether you are a Muslim or a Christian, major tribes in Nigeria; the one thing that brings us together is football.”

He emphasised that Nigerians momentarily forget their suffering when the Super Eagles play, especially at the World Cup.

Mikel concluded with a powerful plea: “Enough is enough, stop and take a break; just do the right thing.”

Despite the setback, Nigerians can still look ahead to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicking off in December, where the Super Eagles will attempt to restore national pride.