Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has congratulated Morocco on their landmark achievement at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after the North African side defeated Canada 3-0 to become the first African team to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament.
In a statement on X on Sunday, Abubakar praised the Atlas Lions for their performance and the inspiration it has brought to the continent.
“Congratulations to Morocco on a deserved 3-0 victory over Canada and on becoming the first African team to reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” he said.
He highlighted the broader significance of the victory, noting its impact on African pride and global recognition.
“You have once again lifted the hopes of an entire continent and reminded the world that African football belongs on the biggest stage,” Abubakar added.
Similarly, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi> has blamed Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup on poor leadership and weak institutions rather than a lack of football talent.
In a post on his social media pages, Obi congratulated all African countries representing the continent at the tournament, reserving special praise for Cape Verde for reaching the knockout stage despite its relatively small size and population.
He noted that Cape Verde has a landmass of about 4,033 square kilometres, less than 0.5 per cent of Nigeria’s 923,768 square kilometres, and a population of roughly 550,000, which he said is less than 0.25 per cent of Nigeria’s estimated 230 million people.
Drawing a comparison, Obi remarked that Cape Verde’s population is about 200,000 fewer than that of Ogbomoso, yet the island nation advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup.
According to him, Cape Verde’s achievement demonstrates that success is driven more by effective planning and disciplined execution than by population size or natural endowments.
“When systems work, even the smallest nations can compete with the best in the world,” he stated.
Turning to Nigeria’s football fortunes, Obi argued that the country’s absence from the tournament was not due to a shortage of talented players but rather the cumulative effect of years of poor administration and ineffective governance.
“Nigeria’s absence from the World Cup is not a consequence of a lack of talent. It is the result of years of poor administration, weak institutions, and leadership that has consistently failed to build sustainable systems,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor said the lesson extends beyond football, urging Nigeria to strengthen its institutions, embrace long-term planning and ensure merit takes precedence over political connections.
“If we can get leadership right, strengthen our institutions, plan and execute properly, and reward talent over connections, Nigeria can become a global success story, not only in football but also in other areas,” Obi added.
