In the wake of Nigeria’s faltering 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, the outspoken proprietor of Gabros International FC and former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) vice chairman, Chief Gabriel Chukwuma, has called for the immediate resignation of the federation’s leadership, insisting the Super Eagles’ qualification hopes are over.

Chukwuma, a long-time voice in Nigerian football, recalled that he had warned the Glass House months ago about the dangers of ignoring the need for a world-class coach. He even offered to contribute financially to secure such an appointment, but his plea was brushed aside.

Instead, he says, the NFF chose “business as usual” — prioritizing personal interests over results.

> “They deceived President Tinubu and Nigerians into believing the World Cup ticket was within reach,” Chukwuma lamented. “Look at a team boasting Victor Osimhen, a former African Footballer of the Year, and Ademola Lookman, the reigning one, yet they could hardly score five goals or win at home. Nigeria has talent, but they don’t play as a team.”

The veteran football administrator did not hold back, slamming NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and his board for presiding over multiple failures, from the U-17 and U-20 sides to the CHAN Eagles and now the flagship Super Eagles.

According to him, excuses about injuries and disrupted game plans — like coach Eric Chelle’s recent remarks after the South Africa defeat — are simply “stories to mask failure.”

> “Nigeria never had a coach ab initio. Anybody who is defeated must always find excuses. But after more than a year of preparation, blaming injuries is unacceptable.”

Chukwuma urged the Federal Government to stop “wasting funds” on what he described as a dead project, arguing that true accountability requires the NFF leadership to step aside.

> “If this were overseas, Gusau and his men would have resigned long ago. We must remove sentiments and call a spade a spade. Nigeria needs structure, discipline, and a world-class coach — not people who see football as a money-sharing venture.”

For him, the Super Eagles’ dream of appearing at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada is already gone — and the earlier Nigerians accept that reality, the better.