By Jonathan Ugbal
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has demanded a detailed technical report from the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF following a below par performance by the Senior Men’s football team during the June FIFA window.
The Super Eagles lost 2:1 to the Cheetahs of Benin Republic for the first time in history during game four of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, days after drawing 1:1 with South Africa in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
This means Nigeria earned only one point out of a possible six and have tallied only three points out of a possible twelve, sitting fifth in Group C.
And, the minister who is unhappy with the results which puts the qualification of the Super Eagles for the games slated to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico is demanding answers says a statement by his spokesperson, Diana-Mary Nsan.
“The recent results are unacceptable,” Senator Enoh is quoted as saying.
“Despite the immense support from President Tinubu and the high expectations of Nigerian football fans, the Super Eagles have underperformed. The NFF must provide a comprehensive technical report explaining the reasons behind this poor showing and give cause why there mustn’t be consequences for the disappointment caused both Government and the generality of Nigerians,” the statement read.
The dip in performance, which the minister says supporters deserve an answer, comes on the heels of what critics termed a patriotic performance at the last Continental championships which saw the Eagles clinch Silver after losing 2:1 to host nation, Ivory Coast in Abidjan, in February.
“Our supporters are passionate and devoted. They deserve an explanation for why our national team has not been performing to the expected standards since after the last AFCON,” he added.
Meanwhile, the NFF has explained the mix-up that led to an old anthem being played for Nigeria before the 2:1 loss to Benin Republic.
The NFF’s Head of International Competitions, Dayo Enebi Achor, said the NFF handed a recording of the new national anthem of Nigeria to the Benin FA authorities at the Match Coordination Meeting in Abidjan on Sunday evening in a statement issued on Monday.
“We gave them the recording of our new national anthem, only for them to play the wrong one at the beginning of the match. We protested strongly, and insisted that the Super Eagles would not start the second half until the new national anthem of Nigeria was played,” the statement read.
“The Benin FA authorities eventually played the new national anthem of Nigeria before the commencement of the second half of the match,” the statement added.