World cup

Events, Sports

SAFA President Danny Jordaan Backs Super Eagles Ahead of World Cup Playoff Final

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President of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Danny Jordaan, has thrown his support behind the Super Eagles of Nigeria as they prepare for Sunday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff final against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Jordaan’s gesture comes shortly after Nigeria and South Africa fiercely contested for the sole World Cup ticket available from their group a battle Nigeria ultimately won to reach the playoff stage. In a video shared on SAFA’s official platform, Jordaan reflected on the intense qualification campaign, admitting that Group C had been “tight and very stressful” for both nations. Despite the rivalry, he offered his full support to the Nigerian team. “I want to wish Nigeria the best in their match against the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said, extending personal goodwill to former NFF president Amaju Pinnick and current president Ibrahim Gusau. Jordaan praised the Super Eagles’ strength and pedigree, describing Nigeria as “a big team” with world-class players capable of delivering a strong performance in the final. His show of solidarity highlights the magnitude of Sunday’s encounter in Rabat, where Nigeria coming off a dominant 4-1 semifinal win over Gabon will battle a confident DR Congo side that edged Cameroon 1-0 to reach the final.

Sports

Mikel Obi Calls for NFF Leadership Change After Nigeria’s World Cup Qualification Struggles

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Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has delivered a stark ultimatum to Nigerian football authorities: if the country fails to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the entire Nigeria Football Federation board must go. The ex-Chelsea star’s frustration is understandable. Nigeria’s World Cup dreams are hanging by the thinnest of threads after a disappointing 1-1 draw with South Africa left them sitting third in Group C, six points behind the leaders with only two matches remaining. During an appearance on the Obi One Podcast, Mikel didn’t mince words about his country’s predicament. “If Nigeria doesn’t qualify for the World Cup, the entire NFF board has to go… it’s unacceptable,” he said, his disappointment clearly evident. The timing makes his criticism even sharper. Nigeria already missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and now they’re staring at the possibility of consecutive failures on football’s biggest stage. “We didn’t qualify for Qatar, and now it looks like we might miss out again. I honestly don’t know what to say about it anymore. It’s just horrible,” Mikel admitted. While Mikel acknowledges that players must shoulder some responsibility for their current position, he believes the real issues run much deeper than what happens on the pitch. “Should we blame the players? Not entirely. Yes, they need to take responsibility, but the biggest problems come from the top,” he explained. His criticism strikes at the heart of Nigerian football’s ongoing struggles with administration and governance – issues that have plagued the sport in the country for years. The numbers tell a sobering story. With 11 points from eight matches, Nigeria must win both their remaining fixtures – away to Lesotho and at home against Benin Republic. Even then, they’ll need other results to go their way to secure a playoff spot as one of Africa’s best runners-up. Mikel’s frustration extends beyond just results on the field. He argues that poor leadership is damaging Nigeria’s reputation in world football. “We keep talking about the same problems over and over, and that’s exactly why people don’t take African football seriously. Real accountability needs to start at the very top,” he stressed. With the 2026 World Cup set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, featuring an expanded 48-team format and nine African qualification spots, Nigeria’s potential absence would be particularly painful.

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Sports

Odegbami Calls on West Africa to Bid for World Cup Hosting Right

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Nigerian football legend, Dr Segun Odegbami has called on West African sub-region to bid for the hosting right of the World Cup in a bid to unleash the region’s several potentials and fortunes in the tournament. Odegbami delivered the 15th distinguished public lecture series of the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State on Wednesday with the title: “Sports has the power to change the world. How true?” According to the former International, all the countries that have hosted the World Cup and other international sporting events experienced enormous impact that developed their economy and growth. He elaborated that the moment has come when nations around West Africa should host the first world cup to be held on African soil. Going further, the Mathematical Odegbami as he was fondly called during his playing days proposed “using sports to catalyse, facilitate, accelerate and enforce the biggest and fastest infrastructural development programme for the West African sub-region, by West Africa bidding to host the First World Cup to be staged in the African continent.” Odegbami, who was a member of the 1980 African Nation’s cup winning squad for Nigeria, called on the Federal University Lokoja and other universities in the country to accord sports the topmost priority so as to discover talents that would advance the cause of the institution in sports. Earlier in his speech, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi said that as academics, they value the game-changing possibilities of sports beyond the playing field, as it inspire, instill discipline, and build leadership values that are critical for personal and national development.

Sports

2026 World Cup: Don’t Count Super Eagles Out, Unuanel Advises South Africa, Benin, Others

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Former Enyimba of Aba gaffer Samson David Unuanel is confident that the Super Eagles of Nigeria can reverse their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign after a disappointing draw with Zimbabwe 1-1 on Tuesday at Uyo. Reports from leadership.ng stated that Victor Osimhen had given the Nigerians the much-desired lead before Tawanda Chirewa leveled for the visitors with minutes of play left. After six of the 10-match group stage Nigeria slipped to fourth spot seven points behind South Africa, the leaders, who won 2-0 in Benin thanks to goals from Burnley striker Lyle Foster and Jayden Adams. However, Unuanel reminded fans that the Super Eagles have survived against all odds before, most famously qualifying for the 2010 World Cup from what seemed like a hopeless position. “I am not losing hope yet on the Super ‘Eagles because we have been in this position in the past and still qualify for the tournament,” Unuanel told complete sports.com. “Yes, many Nigerians will find it difficult to believe but nothing has been won until after the final games are played. Writing off ‘Eagles now won’t be ideal because there is still a chance for them to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. ” For all who cares to hear, the 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe should not be seen as anything, all I know is that Nigeria will qualify.”

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Sports

Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle to Reveal Final 23-Man Squad Prior to Nigeria’s Crucial 2026 World Cup Qualifying Games

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Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle will this week announce his final 23-man squad ahead of Nigeria’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying games with Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month. The coach, who released an expanded provisional list of 39 players last week, will name the final 23-man squad before his first games in charge of the three-time African champions. Among the key players on the provisional list is veteran captain Ahmed Musa who was recalled after almost a year out. The team will be back in camp on Sunday ahead of the meetings after announcing the final list later in the week following the conclusion of Champions League last-16 matches this Wednesday. The Super Eagles are third bottom of Group C with three points after securing three draws against Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and South Africa before unexpectedly losing to Benin Republic. The subsequent fixtures against Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 and Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on March 25 are matches Nigeria needs to win in a bid to move Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada forward.

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