As the countdown to the 2026 Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) elective congress begins, the air in the Nigerian sports scene is thick with tension. For Ibrahim Musa Gusau, the accountant-turned-administrator who took the reins in 2022, the 90 minutes of his first term are nearly up.
While his supporters point to “Mission X”—the historic 10th African title for the Super Falcons—as proof of progress, critics see a wreckage of broken dreams in the men’s game. The big question remains: Has the Gusau board earned a second term, or has Nigerian football reached a point where only a total overhaul can save it?
The Triumphs: A Case for Continuity?
To look at the Gusau era objectively, one cannot ignore the silver linings. Under his watch, the Super Falcons didn’t just win; they dominated.
- The 10th Star: The crowning achievement of this board is undoubtedly the Super Falcons reclaiming their throne at the 2024 WAFCON. Staging a legendary comeback against hosts Morocco, the women proved that Nigerian grit is alive—even if it’s mostly being carried by the ladies.
- Domestic League Breath of Life: The NPFL has seen more stability. For the first time in years, the league calendar is becoming predictable, officiating is seeing minor (if slow) improvements, and the return of some TV coverage has given fans a reason to look inward.
- Administrative Pragmatism: Gusau has avoided the flamboyant, “celebrity-style” presidency of his predecessor, focusing more on grassroots reforms and trying to settle the federation’s mountain of debt.
The Failure: A Giant on Its Knees
However, the successes of the women’s game cannot mask the rot in the men’s department. The Super Eagles—the commercial and emotional heartbeat of Nigerian sports—are currently in a state of clinical depression.
The “Backdoor” Scandal: A National Shame
The most damning indictment of the current board is the 2026 World Cup qualification disaster. For the second time in a row, the “Giant of Africa” failed to secure an automatic ticket.
Instead of clinical football, the NFF turned to “Calculated Desperation.” The attempt to qualify via the intercontinental playoffs and the subsequent legal petition against DR Congo—alleging eligibility fraud—has been described by many as a “backdoor” attempt to fix an administrative failure.
“The hard truth: A federation that relies on “loopholes” and “protests” because it couldn’t beat Rwanda or Lesotho at home has failed its primary assignment.”
The Coaching Carousel
The board’s handling of the Super Eagles’ technical bench has been amateurish at best. The delay in replacing Jose Peseiro, the short-lived Finidi George experiment, and the late-night scrambles for foreign coaches have left the team without a soul or a tactical identity .
The Critical Verdict: A Leadership of Excuses?
Ibrahim Gusau is often described as a “gentleman,” but Nigerian football doesn’t need a gentleman; it needs a visionary.
While the board hides behind the Super Falcons’ success, they have presided over a period where the Super Eagles have dropped in FIFA rankings and lost their “fear factor” on the continent. The constant bonus rows, the “appearance fee” disputes that nearly led to a player strike in Morocco, and the inability to inspire a world-class squad suggest a leadership that is out of its depth.
If 2026 is the year of the election, the delegates must ask themselves: Are we content with being a “backdoor” nation, or do we want a leadership that restores the Super Eagles to the front row of global football?
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