Former Super Eagles defender Efe Sodje expresses disappointment over Nigeria's 2026 World Cup qualification failure
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Former Super Eagles and Luton Town defender Efe Sodje has voiced his disappointment regarding Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Sodje, who played for Nigeria in the 2002 World Cup, stated that a squad of Nigeria's quality should have been at the tournament. Nigeria missed the Mundial after losing to the Democratic Republic of Congo in a playoff penalty shootout, having finished second in Group C of the CAF qualifiers behind South Africa. This marks their second consecutive World Cup absence, following their failure to qualify for the 2022 edition. An appeal by the Nigeria Football Federation NFF alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players was dismissed. Sodje attributed the failure not only to the players but also to structural issues within the football setup, mentioning that "decisions and structure play a big role." The NFF has faced criticism over unpaid salaries and bonuses, which are believed to have impacted team stability. Since then, Nigeria finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and won the 2026 Unity Cup. The Super Eagles are now focused on the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, where they are in Group L with co-hosts Tanzania, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau, with the campaign starting in September.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC is under public scrutiny following the death of 16-year-old Sesugh Atser in Makurdi, Benue State, in May 2026. The EFCC stated that Sesugh, a suspect in a cyber fraud case, escaped from custody on May 4 with two others by breaking through a toilet roof. The commission claims that on May 21, during an attempt to re-arrest him in Kanshio, Sesugh and suspected cult members opened fire on EFCC operatives. The EFCC reported that operatives returned fire in self-defense, and Sesugh was later found lying in a pool of blood by the roadside, pronounced dead at the Police Cottage Hospital. The EFCC emphasized that Sesugh did not die in custody and was never granted bail. However, this account has been met with skepticism on social media, with users questioning the escape narrative and the circumstances of his death. Activist Rinu Oduala and other users on X raised concerns about the plausibility of a 16-year-old opening fire and the EFCC's changing description of Sesugh from a fraudster to a cult member. Sesugh's mother, Jennifer Atsar, told Saturday PUNCH that her son was a hardworking student and denied he was a fraudster. She alleged that EFCC operatives had previously arrested and released him, retaining his phone and demanding N100,000 for its return. She claims that on the day of his death, two plainclothes EFCC officers lured her son to a hotel, where he was shot while attempting to flee after seeing a gun. She stated that her so
Must ReadThe Tanzania High Commission in Abuja has called for a stronger trade and investment partnership between Tanzania and Nigeria, emphasizing that collaboration between businesses in both countries is crucial for unlocking opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area. The mission is intensifying efforts to strengthen economic diplomacy and deepen bilateral trade relations through increased engagement with private-sector stakeholders. Participation in international trade platforms is part of a broader strategy to expand market access for Tanzanian products and foster mutually beneficial commercial partnerships across Africa. These engagements aim to boost bilateral trade, encourage private-sector collaboration, and create new investment opportunities in sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Tanzania's expanding export base offers significant opportunities for Nigerian businesses seeking high-quality agricultural and value-added products. The High Commission stressed that stronger commercial ties would contribute to the AfCFTA's objectives of increasing intra-African trade and economic integration. Businesses and investors are urged to utilize trade exhibitions and business forums to establish partnerships. As part of these efforts, Tanzania will participate in the Food & Beverage West Africa 2026 exhibition in Lagos from June 9 to June 11, showcasing products such as tea, coffee, wines, cashew nuts, and spices at the Tanzania Pavilion. The pavilion
Must ReadBenson Upah, spokesman for the Nigeria Labour Congress, argues that Nigerian workers deserve a minimum wage of N1m, citing the dramatic decline in purchasing power due to fuel subsidy removal, exchange-rate liberalization, tariff hikes, increased taxation, and a growing debt burden. He highlights that fuel prices have risen over 600 percent and electricity tariffs by more than 260 percent in less than three years, while the naira has depreciated sharply. Upah contends that government revenues have substantially increased, demonstrating the capacity to pay higher wages. He states that the N1m figure reflects the amount needed for a basic standard of living, as workers now face prices comparable to advanced economies. Upah criticizes state governments that claim inability to pay, attributing it to poor governance choices and excessive reliance on federal allocations rather than developing internal economic capacity. He asserts that workers should not be victims of official inefficiency, especially since many states received higher allocations after recent reforms. Upah believes there is a deliberate failure to translate higher revenues into improved worker welfare, noting that Nigeria's reward system is skewed against workers. He rates President Bola Tinubu's administration at 40 percent on workers' welfare, cost of living, employment, and economic management, stating that while reforms may have been necessary, their rapid and simultaneous implementation caused unprecedented ha
Actor and filmmaker Yomi Fabiyi has urged authorities to reopen investigations into the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad. In an interview, Fabiyi emphasized the need for law enforcement and relevant organizations to treat the case with seriousness, describing it as a murder investigation. He shared screenshots of alleged chats where Omowunmi Aloba, Mohbad's wife, reportedly discussed pushing him. Fabiyi noted that Omowunmi was previously arrested in November 2025 by the FCID in Abuja and investigated for murder, theft, and criminal conspiracy. He stated that this new lead aligns with existing evidence, including a 30-second video and a statement from Adura, who claimed Mohbad was pushed and hit his head. Fabiyi is calling for authorities to invite Omowunmi, conduct a forensic analysis of her phone to verify conversations, and recover deleted messages to establish authenticity. He highlighted that a prosecution witness already has a video showing Mohbad being pushed. Fabiyi explained his continued commitment to seeking justice for Mohbad, citing humanity and the singer's talent as reasons. He also briefly commented on national security challenges and his recent acting role.