Former Super Eagles skipper John Obi Mikel has strongly criticised Nigeria’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, accusing football authorities of repeating the same administrative failures that have plagued the national team in recent years.
Speaking on his ObiOne podcast, the former Chelsea midfielder expressed frustration over what he described as a lack of seriousness in the build-up to the tournament in Morocco, which begins this Sunday. Mikel questioned how unresolved financial issues could still exist so close to a major continental competition.
According to him, the revelation that the Super Eagles head coach is allegedly owed salaries reflects poorly on Nigerian football administration and creates unnecessary distractions for the team.
Mikel argued that after the disappointment of missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stakeholders should have taken urgent steps to restore confidence and professionalism within the system. Instead, he believes the same structural problems have resurfaced at the worst possible time.
He stressed that unpaid wages, especially for a national team coach, undermine morale and send the wrong message to players and supporters alike. In his view, elite football nations do not allow such issues to linger on the eve of major tournaments, adding that Nigeria’s football reputation deserves better handling.
Recent reports suggested that Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle was owed up to three months’ salary and match bonuses by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ahead of the AFCON finals.
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However, those claims were later addressed by National Sports Commission (NSC) chairman Shehu Dikko, who disclosed that the commission had intervened financially to prevent the situation from escalating. Speaking on Arise Television, Dikko explained that the NSC had been covering Chelle’s wages as part of its support for the NFF, despite not being directly involved in the coach’s contractual agreement.
Nigeria will compete in Group C at the 2025 AFCON, where they are set to face Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania. The Super Eagles will open their campaign against Tanzania on December 23 in Fès.
The team heads into the tournament following a 2–1 loss to Egypt in their final warm-up match, which was played on Tuesday in Cairo.
