Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup are teetering on the brink, and the nation’s top sports editors are sounding the alarm.

The Guild of Sports Editors of Nigeria has issued a scathing statement criticizing the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for what it describes as poor planning and mismanagement of the Super Eagles’ qualifying campaign. With just two matches left, Nigeria sits third in Group C on 11 points—six adrift of leaders South Africa and three behind Benin Republic. Only the group winner qualifies automatically, while the best four runners-up across all groups earn playoff lifelines.

Guild President Tony Ubani and Secretary Dare Esan lamented that Nigeria’s precarious position could have been avoided. They pointed to delayed managerial appointments after Jose Peseiro’s dismissal, inconsistent discipline in camp, and an ill-timed experiment with influencer access that distracted players.

The editors also blasted the NFF for failing to protest when Zimbabwe and Lesotho hosted “home” fixtures in South Africa—giving Bafana Bafana six home games out of nine. “This advantage went unchecked while we allowed players to stroll into camp late and start full training barely three days before a crucial home tie,” their statement read.

They warned that lessons from the failed 2022 World Cup bid were clearly not learned, noting that Nigeria’s qualifying chances now hinge on South Africa and Benin slipping up while the Super Eagles deliver big wins in their final games.

Beyond management issues, the Guild urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate key national stadiums in Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, and Enugu, arguing that better facilities might have helped Nigeria avoid costly home draws against South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho.

“The Super Eagles cannot afford to miss another World Cup,” the editors stressed, calling for immediate government support to secure maximum points in the last two fixtures and salvage a route to the playoffs.