Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has criticised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over ongoing administrative problems ahead of Nigeria’s participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Nigeria has been drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania, and will begin their campaign against Tanzania on December 23 in Fès, Morocco. However, preparations for the tournament have raised concerns following a 2–1 defeat to Egypt in the Super Eagles’ only pre-AFCON friendly in Cairo on Tuesday.
Speaking on his ObiOne Podcast, Mikel expressed frustration with the team’s build-up to the competition, describing the situation as disappointing and unacceptable. He questioned how the national team coach could be owed salaries so close to a major tournament.
“I’m not impressed at all with the preparation. After everything that happened during the World Cup qualifiers, you would expect things to improve,” Mikel said. He also reiterated his call for the resignation of the NFF board after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“How can a coach be owed money at this stage? It’s shameful. This is not how serious football nations operate. When these issues become public, they affect the coach, the players and the fans,” he added.
Mikel stated that the AFCON build-up should have been an opportunity for the football authorities to correct past mistakes, but instead, the same problems have resurfaced.
“You can’t go into a tournament like AFCON with unresolved issues. Everything should have been sorted by now. Nigeria deserves better, and our football deserves better,” he said.
Reports had indicated that Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, was owed three months’ salary and bonuses by the NFF ahead of the competition.
However, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, clarified on Monday that the commission has been covering Chelle’s salary on behalf of the NFF, despite not being a party to his contract.
“The NSC has been paying Eric Chelle’s salary on behalf of the NFF, even though we are not part of his contract,” Dikko said during an interview on Arise Television. “This is part of our support to the NFF.”
Read more news on www.newdailyprime.news
