…the Nigeria thing happened. Their hopes were dashed. Dashed by the NFF, a Football Federal that dislikes success. They ”refused” to pay the players bonuses again. They players had enough and relapsed into no-pay-no-play.
…Most of all, it hurts to be watching a FIFA World Cup without Nigeria.
By Azuka Christopher
MON NOV 17 2025-theGBJournal| Nigeria has failed to qualify again for the FIFA World Cup, the third time, losing to the DR Congo through penalty shoot-out in the Play-off final in Rabat, Morocco on Sunday.
The out come did not come as a surprise to many Nigerians and foreign observers who have been watching the Super Eagles in recent years. It was a debacle building for years.
Beaten 4-3 by a more determined, hungrier DR Congo and left to wonder what on earth has gone wrong.
For many Nigerians expecting to cash-in, the football federation bleeding for cash and the Nation’s pride, it was a terrible day.
Perhaps there was an element of failure-to-plan. Nigeria was drawn in a qualifying (CAF) group with Rwanda, Benin Republic and South Africa. Easy pickings. Because the players, the quality and pedigree of the players was enough as the ”sure bet.”
But the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the sport regulatory authority failed to plan. They fired and hired coaches before the qualifiers began and amid the qualifiers- failed to pay match bonus as at when due to players and quarreled among themselves over how the FIFA dollar will be shared. Everybody knows who to blame-the NFF, and they all have a point.
The truth is that Nigeria is not ready for the big stage yet. The truth also is that this set-back is a not shock nor is it a surprise. And the other truth is that it is only the alchemic intensity of Victor Osimhen that dragged Nigeria to the play-off final.
Yet, to talk of Nigeria’s World Cup flop and not talk about the game against the DR Congo is to miss the bigger picture. It wasn’t just that Nigeria finished behind South Africa in the Group stage, it was that they were beaten squarely by the DR Congo side when it mattered most.
In the run-up to the play-off final, the Super Eagles drew 1-1 with South Africa, hammered Benin Republic 4-0, and then in the play-offs, thrashed Gabon 4-1.
Eric Chelle the Super Eagles Head Coach had shown how good he is as a coach and how effective a well motivated team can be against any opposing side. He built a shape, created cohesion and lifted moral.
Then the Nigeria thing happened. Their hopes were dashed. Dashed by the NFF, a Football Federal that dislikes success. They ”refused” to pay the players bonuses again. They players had enough and relapsed into no-pay-no-play.
It was a surreal moment and akin to living a daily nightmare all over, especially at a stage where the players and coaching staff should be pampered. We lost in the end.
Missing out because of the crazy choices of the NFF, a federation who supervised the Super Eagles doomed campaign, hurts us all, the players included.
Most of all, it hurts to be watching a FIFA World Cup without Nigeria.
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