Anichebe Blasts NFF’s ‘Chronic Incompetence’ as Super Eagles Miss 2026 World Cup, Troost-Ekong Weighs Retirement

Former Super Eagles striker Victor Anichebe has slammed the Nigerian Football Federation, accusing officials of “deep, chronic incompetence” after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The ex-Everton forward said the nation’s football collapse goes deeper than corruption, insisting the system is rotten from the top and in desperate need of long-term planning.

Nigeria crashed out of the World Cup play-offs last weekend after a painful 3-1 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo, marking a second straight World Cup the country will miss. Rather than simply lament the failure, Anichebe says the humiliation might become a turning point, if the right lessons are finally learnt.

“Despite the shame and frustration of failing to qualify, this might actually be the turning point we need for long-term progress,” Anichebe posted on social media, clearly fed up with business as usual.

“It’s Not Just Corruption,  It’s Chronic Incompetence”

Anichebe argued that Nigeria keeps hiring football administrators with no genuine expertise, long-term plan or experience in elite football ecosystems.

“Too many people still don’t grasp the real issue… At its core, it’s chronic incompetence. We keep placing people in key positions who have no strategic plan, no experience in high performance environments, and no understanding of what sustainable success requires.”

He added that reform must move beyond short-term reactionary fixes.

“Real change demands selflessness, long-term thinking, and building foundations that won’t produce instant rewards… It means trusting a process rather than chasing quick fixes.”

Ex-Players Not an Automatic Solution, Warns Anichebe

In the aftermath of Nigeria’s exit, many fans and pundits have called for former internationals to take charge of football leadership roles. But Anichebe says simply being a former player doesn’t qualify anyone to run the game.

“Being an ex-player is not a qualification. If someone hasn’t expanded their knowledge or gained experience, the role is not a birthright because of past achievements.”

Interestingly, Anichebe’s own role in sports governance is growing, he currently serves as Special Adviser on Sports to the South East Development Commission, where he oversees grassroots infrastructure projects designed to identify talent at school and community level.

Troost Ekong Considering Retirement After Heartbreak Exit

Meanwhile, the fallout from Nigeria’s failure is not just political, there may also be major personnel shifts. Captain William Troost Ekong is reportedly considering international retirement, according to Soccernet.ng, and told teammates in the dressing room after the DR Congo defeat:

“I will watch you as a fan at the AFCON.”

If confirmed, it would mark a huge loss for the squad. The 32 year old defender has been one of Nigeria’s emotional leaders over the past decade, featuring in three AFCON tournaments, winning bronze in 2019, and captaining the team to the 2023 AFCON final, where he was named Player of the Tournament.

His absence has been noticeable recently, having lost his regular starting spot to rising star Benjamin Fredrick while Wilfred Ndidi has taken over captaincy duties in some fixtures. His last competitive start came in the 2–1 win over Lesotho, where he also scored.

With AFCON 2025 kicking off in December, the question now looms: does Ekong stay for one last run, or walk away at the height of his legacy?

Nigeria at a Crossroads

As emotions cool after the World Cup failure, pressure is mounting on the NFF to overhaul planning, leadership, and talent development. Fans are calling for tactical stability, proper scouting, and professional administration rather than last-minute fire fighting.

Nigeria now face a crucial six-month stretch: rebuild properly, or risk losing another generation.

For now, Anichebe’s message rings loudest: “If we want serious outcomes, we must start having serious conversations.”