Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi has revealed that systemic challenges and inadequate infrastructure continue to hold African nations back from achieving global football dominance.
He noted that African nations possess the raw talent needed to clinch the FIFA World Cup.
Mikel emphasized that the issue is not a lack of skill. “The talent is there. The players are there. The players are not the issue,” he said.
“We’ve seen it — players from Africa coming to the Premier League, and what we’ve contributed to the league. The impact of African players in the Premier League is clear for everyone to see.”
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African stars like Mohamed Salah, Achraf Hakimi, Sadio Mané, and Victor Osimhen have consistently lit up Europe’s top leagues, showcasing the continent’s wealth of footballing talent.
Mohamed Salah. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
However, Mikel stressed that translating this individual brilliance into collective success on the World Cup stage requires robust systems and organization.
“To go on and win the World Cup, it starts from the top,” Mikel asserted. “Everything needs to run properly.”
He pointed to persistent issues such as outdated training facilities, poor management, and a lack of cohesive planning within African football federations as major barriers.
“Players now go back to their national teams and say, ‘Yes, we are close. Maybe next year,’” he added.
Mikel’s comments come as African teams prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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No African nation has ever won the FIFA World Cup, with Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002), and Ghana (2010) reaching the quarter-finals, and Morocco (2022) reaching the semi-finals — the continent’s best performances so far.
John Obi Mikel. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
The 38-year-old urged African football authorities to invest in modern facilities, youth development programs, and streamlined administration to unlock the continent’s full potential.
“There are a few things that need to be sorted out,” he noted. “There are a few things that need to be put in place before we can get there.”
