<p>This year’s Mundial, set to be hosted across Mexico, Canada and the United States of America, is the first edition to feature ten African nations.</p>
<p>Sodje, who represented the Green and Whites five times, believes this ‘Golden’ generation of players have been let down by poor administration.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full”><img decoding=”async” width=”3543″ height=”2784″ src=”https://www.afrik-foot.com/en-ng/thumbor/koPN609bt9u_uhmcAIaBqa7EjcU=/3543×2784/smart/filters:format(webp)/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.afrik-foot.com%2Fen-ng%2F2026%2F02%2Fimago4538568.jpg” alt=”Sam Sodje.” class=”wp-image-904145″/><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Sam Sodje. Copyright: imago/Panoramic</figcaption></figure>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading”>Sam Sodje faults NFF for Super Eagles World Cup absence</h2>
<p>Since Nigeria’s maiden appearance on the World stage in 1994, the Super Eagles have only failed to qualify for the 2006 edition until 2022.</p>
<p>They’ve now seen two World Cups pass them by, and Sodje believes there must be issues off the pitch preventing a talented group of players from qualifying for the biggest tournament in football.</p>
<blockquote class=”wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow”>
<p>“I think we’ve thrown it away by not qualifying for two World Cups and struggling for the last couple of Nations Cups,” the 46-year-old said in an interview with <strong><a href=”https://footy-africa.com/iwobi-deserves-respect-for-consistency-says-former-brentford-defender-sodje/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Footy Africa</a></strong>.</p>
<p>“Because if you ask me—I know we all praise the ’94 set, the ’96 set—but believe me, with this new generation, I think we had the best generation ever and I think we blew it.</p>
</blockquote>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full”><img decoding=”async” width=”4256″ height=”2832″ src=”https://www.afrik-foot.com/en-ng/thumbor/8FnFitCVPq4OUKUpQRkdobsoZJM=/4256×2832/smart/filters:format(webp)/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.afrik-foot.com%2Fen-ng%2F2026%2F04%2Fimago1071292686-4.jpg” alt=”Alex Iwobi, Bright Osayi Samuel, Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey” class=”wp-image-910923″/><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Super Eagles. Copyright: xshengolpixsx IMAGO</figcaption></figure>
<blockquote class=”wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow”>
<p>“Hopefully, they are still around for a couple of years’ time, but football is a funny game; you just never know how long you can play for. </p>
<p>“But we definitely blew it, and I don’t blame the players, I blame the organization. </p>
<p>“Missing the World Cup for twice in a row really killed the chance for these players to go out there and explore their talents and get that kind of recognition the former players had. </p>
<p>“So yeah, it’s so sad. Hopefully, they can win something because I think this is a golden generation,” the former West Bromwich Albion defender concluded.</p>
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<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full”><img decoding=”async” width=”4256″ height=”2832″ src=”https://www.afrik-foot.com/en-ng/thumbor/bIeAf8eIpmq5XeK04j1JGpU2ek0=/4256×2832/smart/filters:format(webp)/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.afrik-foot.com%2Fen-ng%2F2026%2F05%2Fimago1039549468.jpg” alt=”Super Eagles stars Calvin Bassey, Paul Onuachu, Kenneth Omeruo, Chidozie Awaziem, Francis Uzoho and Samuel Chukwueze of Nigeria” class=”wp-image-914128″/><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Super Eagles. Photo by Ganiyu Yusuf Copyright: IMAGO</figcaption></figure>
<p>The Super Eagles, despite their absence from the 2026 World Cup, will be in action at the end of the club season.</p>
<p>Eric Chelle’s men will play the 2026 Unity Cup in London later this month, before engaging in friendlies against Poland and Portugal next month.</p>