Oliseh: Sack NFF Leadership if Eagles Fail to Qualify for World Cup
InfoSport: Former Super Eagles Captain Sunday Oliseh demands the resignation of NFF leadership if Nigeria fails to qualify for the next World Cup. Explore the implications.
In a pointed commentary on the future of Nigerian football, former Super Eagles Captain Sunday Oliseh has urged for the dismissal of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership if the national team fails to qualify for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Positioned fourth in Group C ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria faces significant pressure to reclaim its place on the global stage.
The Stakes are High
Oliseh, a member of FIFA’s Technical Study Group, highlighted the gravity of missing two consecutive World Cups. “If Nigeria does not qualify for the next World Cup, and the people running football in Nigeria are still in their positions, then we don’t even deserve to qualify for 2030,” he declared during a discussion on BrilaFM. The Super Eagles currently sit with seven points, trailing South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin Republic, with underperforming results threatening their chances.
Consequences of Failure
Missing the World Cup can have devastating repercussions for Nigeria’s football ecosystem. “Every four years that you don’t qualify for the World Cup, your football goes back eight years. That is how it works,” Oliseh asserted. The opportunity to compete in the World Cup offers not just prestige but is also a financial boon, with a potential impact of hundreds of millions of dollars on the country’s football industry.
Oliseh believes that no football federation in the world would allow its leaders to remain in charge after failing to qualify for two consecutive World Cups. This sentiment is underscored by the stark reality of Nigeria’s absence in the previous World Cup held in Qatar, an absence that exacerbated existing challenges within the footballing framework.
A Plea for Drastic Change
Despite the dire circumstances, Oliseh remains cautiously optimistic about the Eagles’ potential to qualify, noting that South Africa could face points deductions that may alter the current standings. However, he asserted the need for immediate structural changes within the NFF should qualification fail again. “Something drastic must be done,” he emphasized, indicating the need for a reevaluation of strategic direction in Nigerian football.
As the Super Eagles gear up for crucial matches against Rwanda and South Africa, all eyes will be on the NFF’s leadership and their capacity to respond to the mounting criticism and pressure. The forthcoming fixtures will be pivotal not only for the team’s qualification but also for the viability of the current administration.
Conclusion
Oliseh’s declarations reflect a growing concern regarding the management of Nigerian football. The Super Eagles must prevail in upcoming matches to avoid deeper ramifications, both on the pitch and within the organizational structure of the NFF. For the sake of Nigeria’s football future, stakeholders must heed Oliseh’s call for accountability and reform. How the leadership responds could determine the trajectory of Nigerian football for years to come.
