By our reporter 21.6.2026
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup attractions stare Nigerians football fans in the face and their players left high and dry, former Super Eagles defender Chikelue Iloenyosi said the current squad should be kicking their heads for failing to qualify for the prestigious tournament.
On paper the Super Eagles are the third best African team and they not being at the World Cup continue to haunt Nigerian fans and even the players themselves who missing back-to-back World Cup appearance.
According to Ileonyosi who earned four caps for the Super Eagles, the 2026 football fiesta could be the last chance for the likes of Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman to exhibit their skills at the highest football level, but they have to blame themselves for letting the opportunity to slip away.
.”No one is happy…even the Players are feeling very, very bad, of course. If they have a chance to be in the World Cup, they will be in the World Cup to prove themselves,” Ileonyosi stated during a chat on the AySuga Channel.
“Some people in the national team might not see the World Cup again because of their age. It’s not a good development for Nigerian football not qualify for the World Cup.
“Why didn’t we qualify for the World Cup is the players? It’s the fault of the players because you can see the games, they are even blaming themselves. They are not happy.”