Lagos, Nigeria – Former Nigerian international Etim Esin has strongly criticized the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for what he describes as a “carefree approach” to securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Speaking to Sports Vanguard, the ex-Super Eagles midfielder expressed grave concerns over Nigeria’s qualification chances, citing what he termed as fundamental errors in preparation. Esin was particularly critical of the decision to appoint French-Malian coach Eric Chelle as head coach of the Super Eagles.
“As far as I am concerned, the World Cup is a forgotten story,” Esin stated bluntly. “How do they give the job to a Frenchman when we are not even a French-speaking country? Who is he? What has he won? What is his CV?”
Esin, who was part of Nigeria’s golden generation in the late 1980s, questioned whether Chelle possesses the technical and tactical expertise to lead the team to success on the global stage. He also raised concerns over the ability of the new coach to command respect in the dressing room, arguing that many players might struggle to connect with him.
“Will Coach Chelle be able to command the confidence of the players in the dressing room? They don’t even know him. It’s like they are using Nigeria to boost their coaching profiles,” he added.
NFF Accused of Prioritizing Money Over Football
Esin further accused football administrators in Nigeria of prioritizing financial gains over the development of the game. He argued that the lack of accountability within the NFF has contributed to the nation’s dwindling football fortunes.
“The administrators do not have much to offer. All they are concerned about is money—money and more money—to the detriment of Nigerian football,” he lamented. “We didn’t qualify for the last World Cup, yet nobody lost their job. Nothing happened, so they don’t care.”
Nigeria’s failure to reach the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar remains a sore point for football fans, and the country’s chances of making it to the 2026 edition appear increasingly slim. With only three points from four qualifying matches, the Super Eagles are trailing behind Rwanda, South Africa, and the Republic of Benin in Group C.
For Nigeria to secure a World Cup berth, the team must win its remaining qualification games while hoping that other top contenders stumble along the way. However, Esin remains pessimistic about such a possibility.
“World Cup? I don’t think we can qualify,” he remarked. “The odds are against us, and those in charge don’t seem to care whether we make it or not.”
Growing Fan Discontent
Esin’s comments echo the frustrations of many Nigerian football supporters who have criticized the team’s recent performances. The Super Eagles’ underwhelming results, coupled with what many perceive as poor leadership from the NFF, have fueled widespread discontent.
Despite Nigeria’s rich football history and talent pool, the road to the 2026 World Cup remains uncertain. The team will need a remarkable turnaround under Chelle’s leadership to stand any chance of qualification.
As pressure mounts, the coming months will be crucial for both the Super Eagles and their embattled football administrators. Whether the team can defy the odds and secure a place at the world’s biggest football tournament remains to be seen.
