Super Eagles Legend Sunday Oliseh Criticizes NFF's Approach to World Cup Qualification
Former Super Eagles captain and AFCON winner Sunday Oliseh has spoken out about Nigeria's ongoing efforts to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The football legend expressed strong opinions regarding the methods being employed by the Nigeria Football Federation in their qualification bid.
Nigeria's Qualification Journey and Playoff Performance
The Super Eagles finished second in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers with 17 points, trailing behind South Africa's Bafana Bafana who claimed the group's automatic ticket. Despite this setback, Nigeria earned a lifeline by qualifying for the African playoffs as one of the best losers, narrowly edging out Burkina Faso for that position.
In the playoff semifinal, the Super Eagles delivered an impressive 4-1 victory against Gabon. However, their journey was cut short in Rabat on November 16, 2025, when they suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo following a 1-1 draw after extra time.
Oliseh's Criticism of NFF's 'Office' Tactics
Speaking on Global Football Insights, Sunday Oliseh launched a scathing critique of the Nigeria Football Federation's approach to World Cup qualification. The former Ajax and Juventus midfielder accused the NFF leadership of attempting to qualify through what he termed 'office' methods rather than focusing on football fundamentals.
"Nigeria are trying everything humanly possible to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the office, instead of through scoring goals, tactics, and hard work on the pitch," Oliseh stated emphatically.
The football legend pointed out that the NFF has shifted attention from their own shortcomings by lodging a formal protest against DR Congo for allegedly fielding seven ineligible players during their playoff match. Oliseh noted that this protest has become a distraction from addressing the real issues affecting Nigerian football.
The DR Congo Player Eligibility Controversy
The Nigeria Football Federation uncovered what they claimed were seven ineligible players fielded by their Central African opponents and subsequently lodged a formal protest with FIFA. However, Oliseh questioned the validity of this protest, noting that DR Congo had used the same players against Cameroon in the playoff semifinal just three days earlier and during the recently concluded AFCON tournament in Morocco without any issues being raised.
"The Leopards used these same players against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon before playing us three days later and they used them right there at the recently concluded AFCON in Morocco without any issues," Oliseh explained.
Shifting Blame and National Conversation
Oliseh expressed concern that the NFF's protest has redirected the national conversation away from accountability. He observed that many Nigerians have stopped questioning those responsible for the country's failure to qualify for two consecutive World Cups and have instead focused their frustration on DR Congo.
"Plenty of Nigerians are no longer pointing accusing fingers at those responsible for our failure to qualify for two consecutive World Cups; they are cursing DR Congo," the former Borussia Dortmund star lamented.
The football icon emphasized that Nigeria failed to secure World Cup qualification on the pitch, where it truly matters. He criticized what he described as desperate protests to FIFA instead of the football federation taking responsibility for their shortcomings.
FIFA's Response and Pending Decision
The world football governing body has reportedly concluded plans to announce its verdict on DR Congo's case in February. FIFA has sent a strong message to the Federation of Congolese Football Association regarding the allegations of fielding ineligible players during the 2026 World Cup playoffs in Morocco last November.
This development comes as Nigeria faces the prospect of missing the World Cup for a second consecutive time, having last featured at the tournament in 2018. The outcome of FIFA's decision will determine whether Nigeria receives another opportunity to qualify or if their World Cup dreams for 2026 will officially end.
