‘Talks about the FA, discuss it another day’ - Did Super Eagles legend Mikel Obi see the future?

A resurfaced quote from Super Eagles legend John Mikel Obi about focusing on qualification first and dealing with the Football Association (FA) later now rings alarmingly true, as the Nigerian national team finds itself mired in a financial dispute just hours before a crucial World Cup playoff.

The former Super Eagles captain appears to have issued a prophetic warning to the current squad ahead of their decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff games in Morocco.

Last month, speaking on his ObiOne Podcast, as reported by Pulse Sports Nigeria, Mikel had urged Nigeria’s senior national team to take full responsibility and fight for the nation’s pride, emphasising the dire consequences of failure.

“It’s going to be a crime, an absolute crime, if Nigeria doesn’t make it to the World Cup again,” Mikel declared.

His passionate plea came ahead of the final group games, which saw Nigeria secure four points from six to seal a dramatic spot in the current playoff mini-tournament.

Missing back-to-back World Cups, following the absence from Qatar 2022, is clearly viewed by the veteran as unthinkable for Africa's biggest footballing nation.

However, it is another comment from the same podcast episode that has gained traction following reports of the players' recent boycott over unpaid bonuses in Rabat.

Mikel, drawing on his deep understanding of the perpetual off-field issues plaguing the national team, had urged the players to prioritise the pitch over the administrative drama:

He went on to compare the current situation to the successful 2018 qualifiers: “In 2018, we were already done. We were on the beach, last two games, we just showed up.”

While Mikel’s initial comments were directed at the final group stage matches, his warning about the necessity of separating the on-field fight from the off-field politics is chillingly relevant to the current situation.

The Super Eagles' preparations for their semi-final against Gabon have been stalled by a player protest over outstanding payments.

This drama forced current captain William Troost-Ekong to issue a statement confirming the team is focused only on resolving the "rightful request" for bonuses, and not "special demands," thus stalling decisive training time 24 hours before the cracker.

With the players now locked in a standoff with the NFF, the exact distraction Mikel had urged them to avoid, his warning for the players to concentrate on qualification first rings truer than ever as Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup fate hangs in the balance.