NSC Chairman Points Finger Elsewhere As Super Eagles' 2026 World Cup Hope Fades
- The National Sports Commission has absolved itself of blame for Nigeria's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign
- Super Eagles sit third in Group C with 11 points after eight matches and are behind Benin (14) and South Africa (17)
- Nigeria's chances of securing the automatic qualification or playoff spot depend on other results in the group in October
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The National Sports Commission has shifted blame away from itself over Nigeria's struggles during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Nigeria head into the matchdays nine and 10 of the qualifier matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic, with 11 points from eight matches.
Source: Twitter
Super Eagles have won two matches against Rwanda in Kigali and Uyo, drawn matches against Zimbabwe (home and away), South Africa (home and away), Lesotho at home and lost to Benin Republic away.
Nigeria have had three coaches during these qualifying phases: AFCON finalist Jose Peseiro, the legendary Finidi George and incumbent Eric Chelle.
Peseiro picked up two points with draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in November 2023, while Finidi drew South Africa and lost to Benin Republic in June 2024.
Eric Chelle came on board in January 2023, and the NFF gave him the responsibility of turning around the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, at a time the country had three points from four games.
Chelle, in his first match, equalled his predecessors’ records, beating Rwanda 2-0 in Kigali, but a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in Uyo shattered the hopes.
The Super Eagles scored a second victory over Rwanda, a 1-0 victory at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, thanks to Tolu Arokodare's strike.
However, things became blurry after the 1-1 draw against South Africa at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, and Nigerians admitted the World Cup dream was over.
These results have left Nigeria at risk of missing out on two consecutive FIFA World Cups, having also failed to qualify for the 2022 edition after losing the playoffs to Ghana.
NSC president shifts blame elsewhere
The chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, has absolved his committee of blame for Nigeria's poor performance in the World Cup qualifier.
Source: Getty Images
“When we came on board, we only had three points out of a possible 12, and now with Eric Chelle we've gotten eight points in another four games,” he told Brila FM.
“If we had this form earlier, we would probably be preparing for the World Cup by now.”
Shehu Dikko was formerly the chairman of the League Management Company responsible for overseeing the Nigeria Premier Football League.
In October 2024, President Tinubu scrapped the sports ministry and created the National Sports Commission, granting Dikko the leadership.
His claim that Nigeria would be in a better place if Peseiro and Finidi had eight points in four games is valid, as Nigeria would currently have 16 points, one behind South Africa.
FIFA blames NFF and CAF for Bloemfontein pitch
Legit.ng reported that FIFA explained why the crucial South Africa against Nigeria was allowed to go ahead at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
The stadium, which hosts more rugby games than football matches, was in a terrible state, leading to injuries to Super Eagles stars Wilfred Ndidi and Ola Aina.
Source: Legit.ng
