NFF Accused of Withholding Funds for World Cup

Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has publicly criticised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for allegedly failing to release funds meant for the national team’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Oliseh said that several officials within the football body had “diverted or sat on” money allocated by the federal government to support Nigeria’s qualification drive. He claimed that this alleged mismanagement has left the team struggling with poor logistics, delayed allowances, and low morale among players and technical staff.

“We can’t continue pretending all is well when corruption and mismanagement are crippling Nigerian football from the inside,” Oliseh wrote. “Funds meant for players and coaches are being delayed or redirected. How can we expect results in such a system?”

The outspoken former midfielder, who managed the national side between 2015 and 2016, also alleged that this financial opacity has become a “tradition” in Nigerian football, repeating itself with every World Cup cycle.

Reports from Africa Top Sports indicate that Oliseh’s comments have reignited public debate about transparency within the NFF. Some fans and pundits have called for an independent audit of how FIFA and government grants are utilised, while others argue that Oliseh’s remarks were too sweeping and could destabilise the current team ahead of crucial qualifiers.

The NFF has not issued an official statement in response to Oliseh’s accusations. However, insiders reportedly told journalists that all funds were properly disbursed and accounted for, dismissing claims of corruption as “politically motivated”.

Oliseh, who captained Nigeria to the 1998 World Cup and scored one of the tournament’s most memorable goals against Spain, has long been vocal about accountability in Nigerian football. His latest outburst reflects broader frustrations over administrative inefficiency that many believe continue to hamper the Super Eagles’ progress on the international stage.