As criticism continues to mount against the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) over the Super Eagles‘ failure to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup, former Nigeria international John Ogu has offered a contrasting view — one that places considerable blame on the players themselves.
Speaking on the “Home Turf” podcast, Ogu, who earned 25 caps for Nigeria and featured in both the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations squads, urged a more balanced appraisal of where accountability lies. “Hold the players responsible, because when I was in the Super Eagles, I was there for years,” he said. “The NFF provided the best welfare for us to deliver. Don’t put the blame on the NFF, put it on the players too. I’ll say they should share the blame equally.”
Nigeria’s qualifying campaign was defined by persistent instability in management and a string of poor results. The Eagles failed to win any of their initial playoff fixtures under head coach Jose Peseiro. His replacement, Finidi George, lasted just three months in the role without recording a single victory before being dismissed. The NFF subsequently appointed Malian coach Eric Chelle in January 2025, but the campaign ultimately ended in a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the final playoff round — eliminating Nigeria from World Cup contention entirely.
Despite acknowledging structural problems within the federation, Ogu — a three-time Israeli league champion — defended the NFF’s operational support for the national team. “I’ll fault the Federation because of the faulty structure, but they do try,” he said. “They provide the best hotels, make sure we get our bonuses. They do their best, even though it might not be enough. Blame the players. NFF do their best.”
Ogu’s remarks run counter to the dominant public discourse in Nigerian football circles, where the NFF has faced sustained criticism for its handling of managerial appointments, player welfare, and the broader administrative framework surrounding the national team. The three-coach turnover within a single qualifying cycle has been cited widely as a key factor in destabilising the squad’s cohesion and tactical direction.
Nigeria’s absence from the 2026 World Cup — which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico — is a significant setback for African football’s most populous nation. The Super Eagles last appeared at the tournament in 2018, where they were eliminated in the group stage despite defeating Iceland. Africa has been allocated six guaranteed berths at the expanded 48-team 2026 edition, making Nigeria’s failure to qualify all the more notable given the increased number of available spots.
With World Cup qualification no longer on the agenda, the Super Eagles are scheduled to take part in the Unity Cup next month, followed by international friendlies against Poland and Portugal in June. Those fixtures are expected to provide Eric Chelle with an opportunity to begin reshaping the squad ahead of the next qualifying cycle and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
