2026 FIFA WCQ: NFF president pledges action after Super Eagles’ woes

2026 FIFA WCQ: NFF president pledges action after Super Eagles’ woes

By Harry Awurumibe, Editor-in-Chief, Abuja

Apparently angered by Super Eagles of Nigeria’s 2-1 shock defeat by  Benin Republic Cheetahs in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers match at Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Monday, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has revealed that measures are being taken to address the team’s woes and secure qualification for the global football fiesta billed for United States,  Mexico and Canada.

Gusua who spoke to journalists after emerging from a closed doors meeting between the Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh and the NFF leadership held at Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, said that plans are in the pipeline to put up measures that will change the face of the entire Nigeria football so that Nigerian teams can return to the winning ways.

NFF president whose response to the barrage of questions thrown at him was with a mix of acknowledgement and optimism said the poor results of the Super Eagles have become a source of big worries for the federation, saying that “It’s a very sad moment for Nigerian football, we can’t run away from that”.

Asked about the possibility of changing the Super Eagles coaching crew led by George Finidi who was appointed by NFF in April or retain it, Gusau said that machinery has been put in place to change the trajectory the team is going.

Said he: “Like I said it’s a very sad moment for Nigerian football but all I want to assure you is that we are working tirelessly in collaboration with the minister to come out with some holistic measures that will change the face of the entire system so that we can move forward”.

The NFF president however, emphasised that Nigeria’s qualification for the World Cup remains a realistic goal, saying, “don’t forget that it’s still possible, and we’re going to make it. I just want to assure you that we are going to fight it to the letter, and Nigeria will go to the World Cup.”

Throwing more light on  the federation’s plans to reposition the team before it’s next match, Gusau revealed that, “very soon, you are going to see the measures that NFF will come out with, and by the grace of God, those measures that we are going to take will lead us to qualify for the next World Cup.”

The NFF boss who also spoke on the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers stated that it is an opportunity to showcase the team’s progress, adding that “don’t also forget, before the next round of the (World Cup) qualifiers, we have the AFCON qualifiers, which almost all the six matches will be played before (World Cup) matches next year, and that, by the grace of God, will show Nigerians the kind of steps we have taken, we are going to take to make sure that we qualify for the World Cup.”

Gusua further pleaded for Nigerians’ support and prayers stating, “I just finally want to assure Nigerians that they should continue to pray for us, but by the grace of God, I want to assure them we’re going to fight it to the letter, and we are going to qualify for the World Cup.”

The Super Eagles have been on poor run of late since Nigeria finished second in the last AFCON in Ivory Coast which was won by the home team just as José Peseiro who led Nigeria to the Silver medal in the continental showpiece threw in the towel in February.

But it took NFF some months before picking new head coach Finidi who had earlier prosecuted two international friendly matches beating Ghana 2-1 and losing 2-0 to Mali.

Before losing 2-1 to Benin Republic in Match Day 4 of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Finidi’s team had earlier last Friday, played out a 1-1 draw against Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Match Day 3 at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo in Akwa Ibom state.

The result of these fixtures means that Nigeria is now placed fifth in the six-team table, with six games left to play with three points after four round of matches, drawn three and lost one.