Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, has sent a powerful, no-nonsense message to the Nigerian national team, urging them to put aside external distractions and fight for qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Speaking on his ObiOne Podcast, the former Chelsea star stressed that failure to qualify would be unforgivable given the country’s passion for the sport.
Nigeria currently sits third in Group C, trailing the joint leaders, South Africa and the Benin Republic, by three points with only two decisive matches remaining. The Super Eagles are set to face Lesotho in Polokwane on Friday before concluding their crucial qualifying campaign against the Benin Republic in Uyo next week.
“It’s going to be a crime, an absolute crime, if Nigeria doesn’t make it to the World Cup again,” Mikel stated firmly. “We love our football too much. Our World Cup fate is in the players’ hands. They have to win these two games, no excuses.”
Mikel, who captained the team at the 2018 World Cup, acknowledged the turbulent nature of the current campaign but insisted that the ultimate responsibility now rests solely on the players. He called for leadership, unity, and focus, urging the squad to put aside internal frustrations. “At this stage, every off-field problem goes out the window. It’s about the players now. They must take responsibility and deliver. Nigerians are counting on them,” he said, directly addressing the widely known issues within the NFF. “Win your two games first. The rest we can discuss later.”
The highly respected midfielder specifically called out senior players, including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, and Victor Boniface, to lead by example. He recalled his own time as captain, stating, “The players need to have a meeting, talk to each other, and pull together. They still have a chance, and they have the quality to do it.”
Despite Nigeria’s stuttering run, which includes five draws in eight qualifying games, the 37-year-old remains optimistic about the team’s deep talent pool, noting the strength of the defense, balance of the midfield, and quality of the attackers. The team opened camp in Polokwane on Monday, preparing for the high-stakes match against Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, knowing that two wins could secure their return to football’s biggest stage, dependent on other results.
