Wetin dey happen for other countries, for Nigeria na different tin. For Italy, after dem fail to qualify for World Cup again, di head of dia football federation, Gabriele Gravina, resign. Italy wey win World Cup four times, no go di tournament for third time. Di sports minister don call am to resign, and he follow dia legend Gianluigi Buffon and coach Gennaro Gattuso comot.
Na same pattern for Saudi Arabia. Dia FA president, Yasser Al-Misehal, resign after di Green Falcons finish bottom of Group H with two points. He write for X say, ‘Di failure of di national team na result wey fall short of all our ambitions, and I bear full responsibility.’ He add say, ‘A sense of responsibility requires giving opportunity to open a new chapter.’
For Libya, dia federation president, Abdelhakim Al-Shalmani, also resign for failure to qualify for World Cup. He talk say he no want to be associated with failure of Libyan sports. And for Tunisia, dem sack coach Sabri Lamouchi after dia 5-1 defeat to Sweden. Di Carthage Eagles lose all group matches.
Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman step down after Morocco shock dem for Round of 32. He call am one of di most difficult decisions of his coaching career. Scotland coach Steve Clarke resign after group-stage elimination, even though he take dem back to major tournaments after 28 years. South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo resign less dan 24 hours after elimination, accept full responsibility.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, wey get contract until 2028 European Championship, also leave after Paraguay beat dem on penalties. DFB president Bernd Neuendorf thank am for his work since September 2023.
But for Nigeria, di case different. NFF board still dey hold power, even though di Super Eagles no qualify for two World Cups. No resignation, no sacking. Public officers for Nigeria dey cling to office even when dem fail diir Key Performance Indicators. Di culture of honour or self-esteem no dey.
Di economic loss heavy. According to Moregood Phillips, marketing research analyst at di Insight Place Nigeria, Nigeria don miss guaranteed participation income, sponsorship opportunities, and commercial benefits. FIFA distribute about US$440 million for prize money, and group stage teams get around US$9 million. Nigeria no see any of dat.
Advertising and media industries suffer. World Cup years wey Super Eagles dey, advertisers spend plenty money. Television, radio, newspapers, digital publishers enjoy high engagement. But now, di commercial activity reduce. Corporate organisations like banks, telecoms, breweries lose powerful marketing platform. Di hospitality sector – hotels, viewing centres, bars – miss billions of naira in economic activities.
Sports journalists miss opportunity to report from di world stage. Talented Nigerian players wey dey diir peak no go play for World Cup. Young Nigerians lose inspiration to pursue football professionally. Di nation miss global public relations platform to showcase culture, tourism, investment.
Di only winners be wives and children wey get dia husbands and fathers home more. But di overwhelming verdict na say Nigeria don lose far more dan football matches. Di challenge for Nigerian football administrators na to make 2030 World Cup qualification a national priority. Football na business, diplomacy, tourism, entertainment, and nation branding. Nigeria no fit afford to watch from sidelines.
