Former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi has called for the dissolution of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board if the country fails to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

Nigeria’s chances of making it to the tournament are slim after a recent draw against South Africa left the Super Eagles third in Group C, six points behind group leaders Bafana Bafana with only two matches remaining.

Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, the former Chelsea midfielder blamed the nation’s struggles on poor leadership within the NFF.

“If Nigeria doesn’t qualify for the World Cup, the entire NFF board has to go… it’s unacceptable,” Mikel said.

“We didn’t qualify for Qatar — the last World Cup — and now it looks like again we are not going to make it. Honestly, I have nothing to say about it.

“It is just horrible. Do you blame the players? No, I don’t blame the players. Yes, the players have to take responsibility for the situation but are you gonna blame the players alone? No.

“Again, we talk about it so many times, and that’s why you have people disrespect the African continent and football.”

Mikel emphasized that those at the helm of Nigerian football must be held accountable for the team’s decline.

“Yes, the players have to take responsibility but the biggest challenge is from the top,” he added.

Nigeria currently sit on 11 points after eight matches and must win both remaining games — away to Lesotho and at home against Benin Republic — while hoping for favourable results in other groups to stand a chance of qualifying through the playoffs as one of Africa’s four best runners-up.