Sports

Mikel Obi Has No Justification to Call for NFF Board Resignation

Published

3 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

By “Odogwu” Patrick Ngwaogu

John Mikel Obi remains one of Nigeria’s most celebrated footballers. As a former captain of the Super Eagles, an Africa Cup of Nations winner in 2013, and a UEFA Champions League medalist with Chelsea, his achievements on the pitch are beyond dispute.

However, success as a player does not confer the right to dictate the leadership structure of football administration in Nigeria.

Following the Super Eagles’ underwhelming showing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers — where the team currently sits third behind South Africa and Benin Republic after eight matches — Mikel Obi publicly called for the resignation of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board. His frustration is understandable, given the team’s performance, but his call lacks both legal and procedural justification.

Despite his legendary status, Mikel is not part of the NFF Congress — the body constitutionally empowered to elect or dissolve the board. He also holds no administrative position and does not represent any official football stakeholder group, such as clubs, state FAs, referees, coaches, or players’ unions. His public opinion, therefore, remains just that — an opinion. Popularity or past glory does not override established governance structures.

Moreover, reducing Nigeria’s football challenges to just the NFF board is simplistic and misleading. National team failures are multi-layered, often involving coaches, technical departments, players commitment, and broader institutional issues. Yes, the NFF has may have its flaws, but the blame cannot rest solely at its feet.

Mikel Obi’s call becomes even more questionable when we consider that he has not played an active role in the development of grassroots or domestic football in Nigeria since retiring. Constructive criticism is welcome, but meaningful change requires engagement, not grandstanding.

Furthermore, his comments ignore the broader challenges facing football administration in Nigeria: inconsistent government funding, infrastructural decay, inadequate support systems, and political interference. It is unfair to expect miracles from an NFF board that must operate within such a constrained and volatile environment.

His timing is also problematic. With two crucial matches remaining in the qualifiers, public calls for the board’s resignation can only breed instability, lower morale, and distract from the task ahead. A former captain of the national team should understand how damaging such disruptions can be to team cohesion and focus.

If Mikel has concerns about how Nigerian football is being run, there are structured channels to express them — including engagements with the National Sports Commission , the NFF Congress, or the appropriate judicial and regulatory bodies. Publicly demanding resignations without due process risks undermining institutional integrity and sets a dangerous precedent.

In conclusion, while Mikel Obi’s passion for Nigerian football is respected, football governance demands structure, law, and patience — not emotions or public pressure.

We understand, Mikel may be doing this to attract more viewers to his social media handles, but even at, Mikel has what it takes to return to the country to support the development of football instead of making noise from outside.

The NFF board should only resign if proven to have failed in its duties by the appropriate bodies, not because a former footballer — no matter how revered — insists so from the sidelines. If Mikel truly wants to influence change, he should invest in the game’s development from the ground up, rather than chase headlines with unsubstantiated demands.

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Sports

Nigeria Jets Out Tuesday for 2025 Hockey AFCON as Federation President Engr Nkom Backs Teams for Podium Finish

Published

5 hours ago

October 5, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With the 2025 Hockey African Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Egypt from October 11 to 18, both the men’s and women’s national hockey teams are set to depart Nigeria on October 7, brimming with confidence and determination to make the nation proud.

The President of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Engineer Simon Nkom, speaking after a series of friendly matches at the Hockey Pitch, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, said the teams’ early preparation and intensive training camps have positioned them for a successful outing in Egypt.

“In sports—whether it’s hockey, handball, or basketball—fitness is key. That’s why we began camping weeks ago to build the players’ strength and resilience ahead of this major competition. This is the African Cup of Nations—the highest level of hockey on the continent. We’ve prepared well, and I’m confident our teams will finish on the podium,” he stated.

Nkom highlighted the significant progress Nigerian hockey has recorded in recent years, noting that the country’s world ranking improved from 56th to 36th, while in Hockey 5s, Nigeria now stands 12th globally.

“A few years ago, people barely knew hockey existed in Nigeria. Today, our women’s team ranks 3rd in Africa, and the men’s team is 4th. This growth is a product of deliberate grassroots development and consistent effort,” he added.

To ensure smooth participation and avoid past challenges of late arrivals at tournaments, the federation has finalized logistics for early departure.

“We’ve made all arrangements for the teams to leave early to acclimatize and play friendly matches before the competition begins. The players are motivated, relaxed, and ready to give their best. By God’s grace, they will return home with their heads held high,” Nkom assured.

The HFN President also lauded the federation’s board members for their commitment and teamwork over the past four years, which he said has greatly contributed to the sport’s steady rise in Nigeria.

Head coach Ndana Baba Abdullahi, who oversees both the men’s and women’s teams, praised the federation’s support and lauded the players’ work ethic throughout the extended training camp.

“We’ve worked very hard — morning and evening sessions, tactical drills, conditioning. The players have responded excellently. We started with 35 players and are now down to the final 18 who will make the trip,” Abdullahi said, adding that the early arrival in Egypt would give Nigeria a crucial psychological and tactical edge.

Men’s team captain, Michael John, expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness and determination to make history in Egypt.

“We’re perfectly fine — we’ve trained hard and prepared well,” he said. “We’re just waiting for the whistle to blow. By God’s grace, we won’t disappoint our country or those who worked hard to send us there.”

Similarly, women’s team captain, Alfa Cornelius, echoed optimism about the team’s prospects.

“We’ve been camping for over a month, and the coaches have done a wonderful job. We’ve worked hard to match our opponents in both strength and skill. I’m 100% confident that we’ll perform excellently in Egypt,” she said.

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