By Obiako Chris Okechukwu on July 15, 2026

While billions of football fans around the world are treated to first-class entertainment by world-class soccer stars drawn from 48 countries, it's pertinent for Nigerians (as they count their losses and gnash their teeth) to point to some poignant lessons.

First, who and who resigned after country's bad outing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals?

Apart from several head coaches who stepped down or were sacked following poor performances and early eliminations at the Mundial, notable football association presidents were also part of the casualties.

For starters, before a ball was kicked in USA, Canada and Mexico, the Italian trio of Gabrielle Gravina, Italian Football Association (FIGC) President; Gianluigi Buffon, FIGC Director of Football and Gennaro Gattuso, Italy National Team coach, RESIGNED honourably after the four-time world champions were beaten by Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-offs.

Following in Gravina's footstep was Qatar Football Association (QFA) President, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, who stepped aside following his country's first round outster from the World Cup Finals.

Names of major managerial departures include Gravina, Rashid Al Buenain, Ronald Koeman, (Netherlands Coach) Carlos Queiroz (Ghana Coach), Roberto Martinez (Portugal Coach), Julian Nagelsmann (Germany Coach), Hong Myung-bo (South Korea Coach), 

Steve Clarke (Scotland Coach), Miroslav Koubek (Czechia Coach), Sebastián Beccacece (Ecuador Coach), and Gennaro Gattuso (Italy Coach).

NIGERIANS ARE ASKING: WHEN WILL THE NFF PRESIDENT, GUSAU, DO THE NEEDFUL?

Following the Super Eagles failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals; having been drawn with South Africa, Benin Republic, Lesotho, Rwanda and Zimbabwe in the qualifiers, eyebrows were raised by football fans across the globe.

To imagine that South Africa were deducted 3 points and 3 goals following their use of an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, yet the Super Eagles could not capitalize, sent the alarm bells ringing for Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials.

As if that was not repulsive enough, CAF dung Into their 'magical box' and produced an 'American wonder' granting Nigeria a play-off spot while denying better-placed countries like Burkina Faso (who had 21 points to Nigeria's 17).

Yet the Super Eagles fell like a pack of cards in Morocco during the play-offs.

Ibrahim Gusau, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) looks every bit a gentleman. And what do gentlemen do when they fail to live up to expectation, or when they're found wanting? The answer is simple: they RESIGN HONORABLY.

That Gusau has refused to step down and allow Nigeria's football breathe, is giving Nigerians sleepless nights.

That he's busy gallivanting the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, preaching 'continuity' and telling everyone who cares to listen that he needs a second tenure is not only bonkers, it's embarrassing.

Insanity, like the dictionary tells me, is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result.

Incredibly, Gusau was part of ex-NFF President, Amaju Pinnick's era, and was part of those who denied Nigeria the 2022 FIFA World Cup Finals ticket.

Remarkably, Gusau was handed the opportunity of righting Pinnick's LEGION OF WRONGS, but failed WOEFULLY.

Does he think Nigerians are daft? Does he think Nigerians are happy that for the past two editions of the greatest event on earth (FIFA World Cup Finals) we had been spectators. Nigerians know - deep down their bones - that granting Gusau a second tenure means the Super Eagles won't be able to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Finals. It's as simple as ABC.

Those close to the NFF boss should advise him to RESIGN NOW! Like that, he'll be towing the lines of great football administrators who knew exactly when to take a walk - and while taking a walk keep their integrity and reputation intact.

Source DailySports Nigeria

Posted July 15, 2026

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