World Cup absence would be ‘total disaster’ for Nigerian Football – Ahmed Musa

By Dayo Awoniyi

Nigeria captain, Ahmed Musa, has raised alarm, warning that failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup would be a devastating blow for Nigerian football.

Speaking in Ilorin, Musa emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that such an absence would not only harm the country’s footballing reputation but also hinder the potential of a whole generation of talented players.

He added that it would severely impact the confidence of emerging football stars.

“The Super Eagles are in a very difficult situation right now, but we believe in ourselves that we can still scale through,” Musa said.

“The Super Eagles cannot be absent from the 2026 World Cup. It is going to be a big disaster for Nigerian players not to be at the World Cup.”

Currently, the Super Eagles sit fifth in Group C, trailing behind South Africa, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Benin. However, Musa remains optimistic, believing the team can turn their fortunes around, starting with their next crucial match against Rwanda.

“The important game is Rwanda. If we can get the three points from that match, it’s going to be a turning point for us,” Musa noted. “But it is not just a job for the Super Eagles alone. Every Nigerian must be involved because we need their support.”

Musa also took the opportunity to commend his teammate, Taiwo Awoniyi, for his generous contribution to building a functional secretariat for the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Ilorin.

“I want to say a very big thank you to my younger brother, Taiwo Awoniyi, for this magnificent building he has built for SWAN. Every footballer needs to learn from what Awoniyi has done,” Musa said.

Currently in Ilorin for an NPFL match against Kwara United with his club, Kano Pillars, Musa also praised the improvements seen in the Nigerian football league.

“This is not my first time playing in the Nigerian league. Back in the days, you could never go to an away game and win, like you saw in the match between Lobi and Ikorodu United, where the home team lost to the Lagos side,” Musa remarked, acknowledging the growing strength of the domestic league.