‘That’s the fact’ – Obinna Nsofor blasts Super Eagles for World Cup failure

Former Super Eagles and Inter Milan forward Obinna Nsofor has faulted the current crop of Nigerian players for not qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Afrik Foot reports.

After missing out to Ghana on away goals in 2022, the Green and Whites failed to learn their lessons and had a very slow start to their qualifiers for the 2026 edition.

Nigeria were without a win in their first four games, all of which happened under Jose Peseiro and Finidi George.

Eric Chelle was brought in January 2025, and the Franco-Malian made an immediate impact, sealing a play-off spot for three-time African Champions. While they defeated Gabon in the semi-finals, they lost to DR Congo on penalties.

Obinna unhappy with Super Eagles’ World Cup absence

DR Congo defeated Jamaica by a lone goal in the final of the play-offs to seal a World Cup return for the first time since 1974.

Nsofor played over 40 games for the Green and Whites, but didn’t mince words when quizzed about the Super Eagles’ World Cup absence. According to him, Nigeria isn’t there because the players aren’t good enough.

“If you didn’t qualify for the World Cup it means you are not good to play in the World Cup that is the truth and we should not paint it, it’s simple as that,” the former West Ham United said in an interview with Brila.

“If Brazil didn’t qualify for the World Cup it shows you aren’t good enough to play in it, it’s the truth.

“DR Congo beat us then beat Jamaica, will you say they are not good enough to play at the World Cup? They are good enough because they played in the qualifiers and now they are in the World Cup.

“They have quality players to ball in the tournament, that’s the fact let’s not paint things left and right,” the 39-year-old concluded.

With the AFCON 2027 qualifiers on the horizon, the Super Eagles are set to have preparatory fixtures in the Unity Cup later this month, and then against Portugal and Poland next month.