Senator Ned Nwoko has expressed disappointment over the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but insisted it should serve as motivation for the country’s football authorities and players to improve.
Senator Nwoko, who is the vice-chairman of the Nigerian Senate Committee on Sports, expressed optimism that the Super Eagles will recover from their failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and return stronger at the next edition in 2030.
The Delta North senator admitted Nigeria’s absence from the global tournament was disappointing.
Speaking after a facility tour of the NFF/FIFA 68-room hostel and football pitches, Senator Nwoko said it was painful that the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
However, he stressed that not every country can qualify for every edition of the tournament and expressed confidence that both the players and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have learnt valuable lessons that will prevent a repeat of the disappointment.
“Not everyone will be at the World Cup at the same time. We have to work hard and hope and pray that we’ll be there next time,” Senator Ned Nwoko, who runs Nigeria’s only sports university situated in his hometown of Idumuje-Ugboko, Delta State, stated.
“There is an element of luck in football. We have to work and prepare well. No country is small in football now. You can see what Morocco, Cape Verde, and Paraguay are doing at the ongoing World Cup.
“So, we are going to get there next time and make a statement. But we have to be intentional.”
Commenting on the NFF legacy project, the senator representing Delta North said he was impressed by the hostels and football pitches under construction, adding that the facilities would play a key role in nurturing Nigeria’s abundant football talent.
“We just have to pay more attention to sports. The Nigerian government, of which I am a part, has to show greater commitment to sports. Government must understand that sports are a lifeline for many Nigerian youths.”
Senator Nwoko added that sports development should not be left to the government alone, stressing that private investors also have an important role to play.
He commended the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club owners, who met with the NFF to discuss ways of accelerating the growth and development of Nigerian football.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
