World Cup qualifiers: Sports Minister demands swift action

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has mandated the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to urgently put in place the necessary framework to ensure Nigeria qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as well as addressing issues that have hindered high performances and growth of Nigerian football in recent times.

Enoh stated this during a meeting with the leadership of the NFF led by its President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, which held at the minister’s office on Thursday in Abuja.

The meeting, Sporting Tribune learnt, dwelled on various issues including the current coach of the national team, the competence of both the NFF Technical Committee and Technical Department, discipline of players in the national team camp among others.

A statement signed by the special adviser media to the minister, Diana-Mary Nsan said the minister and the NFF also deliberated on the introduction of a new crop of Nigerian players wherever they can be found to ensure that the best legs represent the country at every given time. The meeting also delved into other matters holding down Nigerian football development including the expansion of the present membership of the NFF Congress to make for room more inclusive and greater representation.

Sporting Tribune reports that Gusau and his team including the technical team were given not more than a week to present its comprehensive position which will indicate the positive progressive steps that have been taken to get the team ready for the next round of competitive matches.

Expressing the disappointment of Nigerians and the government over the poor results in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Enoh said the country is in a critical situation with its unenviable position on the qualifying log with just three points from four games out of possible twelve a situation he described as highly unacceptable.