Super Eagles Failure Exposes Deeper Problems Beyond Osimhen

By Favour Itua

The Super Eagles have now failed to qualify for back-to-back FIFA World Cup tournaments— first missing out on Qatar 2022, and now the expanded 2026 edition to be hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

It’s a bitter blow, especially after reaching the AFCON final in Côte d’Ivoire in 2024, Nigerians expected that form to carry into the remaining qualifiers, particularly in a group featuring Benin Republic, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and South Africa. Respectfully, none of these teams are pushovers — but they were opponents Nigeria should navigate with consistency and authority.

Instead, the qualifiers were a mixed bag, exposing old problems and creating new ones.
And one question kept resurfacing:

Are the Super Eagles clawless without Victor Osimhen?

Osimhen missed key games under both Finidi George and José Peseiro due to injury. When he returned, he scored six goals before the playoffs and added a brace against Gabon, reminding everyone of his influence. But the uncomfortable truth is that Nigeria has become overly dependent on him, a dangerous position for a national team with our talent pool.

Beyond Osimhen, only a handful of players, Wilfred Ndidi, Stanley Nwabali, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Moses Simon — enjoy regular club football. Many others struggle for minutes, and that lack of rhythm shows in their performances.

Then came the playoffs, our final lifeline.
But even before kickoff, off-field issues crept in. Players missed training over unpaid bonuses, disrupting preparation for the most important match in four years. And the truth is simple:

You cannot miss training and claim qualifying was your highest priority.

Against Gabon, we celebrated. But against DR Congo, we met a hungrier, more organised side. The team pressed with intent, played with courage, and clearly did their homework. Iwobi was neutralised, Ndidi was restricted, and the midfield collapsed. When Osimhen went off injured, you could feel the night slipping away.

Then came the penalty drama:

Chidozie Awaziem was brought on instead of captain William Troost-Ekong, a puzzling decision at such a crucial moment. Leadership was missing. Even the stand-in captain, Ndidi, couldn’t rally the team when it mattered most.

Some players have produced consistently poor performances, and difficult decisions must now be made.

Yes, we may not get like for like Osimhen, but we need players that are committed, passionate and determined.

By 2030, several players will be over 30. The message is clear:

It’s time to refresh this squad, new energy, new mentality, new direction.

Nigeria cannot continue like this.