Former Super Eagles forward Victor Anichebe has taken a swipe at the Nigeria Football Federation after the national team failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Victor Anichebe shared his frustration on Instagram shortly after Nigeria’s dramatic loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African playoff final. The match ended in a 4-3 penalty defeat on Sunday night in Rabat, crushing hopes of a return to the World Cup stage.

The setback means Nigeria will miss the tournament for a second straight cycle, a situation that has sparked widespread anger among fans and former players.

Anichebe questioned the direction of Nigerian football, stressing that the country can only enjoy meaningful progress when those in authority are willing to have “serious conversations”.

The former Everton forward wrote, “Real change demands selflessness, long-term thinking, and building foundations that won’t produce instant rewards.”

The retired Nigerian international added, “If we want serious outcomes, we must start having serious conversations that lead to serious decisions.”

With the World Cup dream gone, the Super Eagles will now turn their attention to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off next month in Morocco. Naija News reports that the Eagles finished the last edition of the competition in second place. 

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