The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, said that measures are being taken to address the team’s woes and secure qualification for the prestigious tournament.
When asked whether he would change coaches or keep Finidi George, who was hired in April, the NFF President reacted in a video shared by photojournalist Pooja via X on Thursday with a combination of acknowledgment and optimism.
“It’s a very sad moment for Nigerian football; we can’t run away from that,” he admitted.
“But all I want to assure you is that we are working tirelessly in collaboration with the minister to come up with some holistic measures that will change the face of the entire system so that we can move forward,” he said.
The NFF President, who was described as speaking after a meeting with the Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, stressed that qualification for the World Cup remains a realistic aim, saying, “Don’t forget that it’s still possible, and we’re going to make it. I just want to assure you that we are going to fight it to the letter, and Nigeria will go to the World Cup.”
He provided insight into the federation’s goals, revealing, “Very soon, you are going to see the measures that NFF will come out with, and by the grace of God, those measures that we are going to take will lead us to qualify for the next World Cup.”
The NFF President also mentioned the upcoming African Cup of Nations qualifiers as a chance to display the team’s growth. “Don’t also forget, before the next round of the (World Cup) qualifiers, we have the AFCON qualifiers, which almost all six matches will be played before (World Cup) matches next year, and that, by the grace of God, will show Nigerians the kind of steps we have taken and are going to take to make sure that we qualify for the World Cup.”
The NFF President mentioned pleased Nigerians’ support and prayers, stating, “I just finally want to assure Nigerians that they should continue to pray for us, but by the grace of God, I want to assure them we’re going to fight it to the letter, and we are going to qualify for the World Cup.”
On Monday, the Super Eagles of Nigeria were defeated 2-1 by the Benin Republic in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Earlier on Friday, the team drew 1-1 with South African side Bafana Bafana in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifier.
Nigeria is now ranked fifth in the six-team table, with six games remaining. Nigeria has lost one and drawn three of its four matches.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
