Mikel Obi Motivates Super Eagles in Their Pursuit of 2026 World Cup Berth
John Mikel Obi, the former Super Eagles captain, has urged Nigeria’s senior national team to adopt full responsibility and fiercely uphold the nation’s pride as they battle to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Former Super Eagles player insists Nigeria can not qualify || Imago
On his ObiOne Podcast, the ex-Chelsea midfielder stressed that although the path to qualification has been tough, Nigeria’s ambition to reach the World Cup remains alive. He underscored that steadfast focus, unity, and determination are vital ingredients for the team’s success.
Insights from Mikel Obi
Currently sitting third in Group C with two games left, the Super Eagles trail group leaders South Africa and Benin Republic by a margin of three points. Their next fixtures include an away clash with Lesotho in Polokwane on Friday, followed by a home match against Benin Republic in Uyo.
Having captained Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Mikel described the team’s current position as delicate but insisted that qualification remains within reach.
“Missing out on the World Cup once more would be a huge setback and a disservice to our football legacy,” Mikel declared.
“Football is deeply ingrained in our culture. The responsibility to secure our World Cup spot rests entirely on the players. They must deliver wins in these final two matches-there’s no room for excuses,” he added.
The 37-year-old shared that he stays connected with several members of the current squad and urged them to exhibit leadership and accountability both on and off the pitch.
“At this crucial stage, all off-field distractions must be discarded. The players have to embrace their duties and perform. The whole nation is watching and counting on them,” Mikel stressed.
While acknowledging the ongoing challenges within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), he insisted these issues should not be used as an excuse for poor results.
“Everyone knows about the problems in the NFF, but that’s beside the point right now. The focus must be on winning these two matches. Everything else can be sorted out later,” he affirmed.
Drawing from his experience as captain, Mikel called on key players like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, and Victor Boniface to step up and rekindle the unity that fueled previous successful squads.
“When I was captain, owning responsibility was key. Personal grievances were set aside. The players must come together, communicate honestly, and unite. They still have the skill and chance to succeed,” he noted.
Despite Nigeria’s uneven form, including five draws in eight matches, Mikel remains optimistic about the team’s potential.
“Our squad is packed with outstanding talent in every department. The defense is solid, the midfield balanced, and our attackers rank among Africa’s finest. What’s crucial now is the right mentality, hunger, and focus to secure qualification,” he concluded.
The Super Eagles began their training camp in Polokwane on Monday, gearing up for Friday’s showdown with Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Winning both the away fixture in South Africa and the home game against Benin Republic would seal Nigeria’s ticket to the World Cup, preventing a back-to-back absence from the tournament.