Ex-Super Eagle disappointed by Nigeria’s World Cup qualification failure

Former Super Eagles defender Efe Sodje has expressed his disappointment over Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that responsibility extends beyond the players on the pitch.

Nigeria missed out on a place at the global tournament after falling short in the CAF qualification campaign, marking the country’s second consecutive absence from the World Cup.

The Super Eagles finished behind South Africa in their qualifying group before seeing their hopes ended in the playoffs. Efforts by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to challenge the outcome through an appeal were unsuccessful, confirming Nigeria’s elimination.

‘We should be there’

Reflecting on the disappointment, Sodje, who represented Nigeria at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, admitted he expected more from a team blessed with considerable talent.

“Very disappointing. With the quality of players we have, we should be there,” Sodje said, according to Brila Media.

The former defender’s comments come despite recent improvements in results, with the Super Eagles finishing third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and winning the 2026 Unity Cup after victories over Zimbabwe and Jamaica.

NFF also shares responsibility

Sodje, however, believes the reasons behind Nigeria’s failure go beyond performances on the field, pointing to structural and administrative issues within the football system.

“But it’s not just the players. We have to also look at the people upstairs because decisions and structure play a big role in why we didn’t qualify,” he added.

The NFF has faced criticism in recent years over issues including delayed payments, player bonuses and broader organisational challenges, concerns that some observers believe have affected the national team’s progress.

Nigeria will now turn its attention to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The Super Eagles have been drawn in Group L alongside Tanzania, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau as they seek to avoid another qualification setback.