Olopade Defends Gusau’s NFF Board Despite 2026 World Cup Failure
Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has defended the Ibrahim Gusau-led Nigeria Football Federation board, insisting it has performed well despite the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria missed out on the finals for the second consecutive time, and for the first time under Gusau’s leadership.
Many stakeholders have blamed the NFF for poor planning and the use of multiple coaches during the qualifying campaign.
Jose Peseiro and Finidi George managed only three points from a possible twelve before Eric Chelle’s appointment in January 2025 offered a late revival, though the damage had already been done.
Olopade, however, highlighted the federation’s successes in women’s football, noting that the Super Falcons won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and that all female age-grade teams qualified for their respective World Cups.
He also pointed to the Super Eagles’ strong showings at recent Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, reaching the final in one edition and the semi-final in another.
Speaking on Brila FM, Olopade argued that the board’s achievements should not be overlooked.
‘Apart from not being able to have private sector performance, which we must help them with, this NFF board has done their job. Ibrahim Musa Gusau, let’s look at the KPIs and performances: the same NFF qualified all our female teams for the World Cup, won the WAFCON, had the most successful female World Cup ever, reached the final of the last AFCON, and the semi-final of this AFCON. I just want Nigerians to appreciate what we are doing collectively, from the NSC to the NFF and to the players.’
