Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has criticised the restructured African qualifying format, arguing that it significantly disadvantaged the Super Eagles in their campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking in a recent interview, Pinnick lamented that the new CAF qualification system, which features nine groups of six teams with only group winners advancing directly, has made the qualifying path tougher for Nigeria.
“This new format is brutal. There’s no margin for error,” he said, pointing to the amplified pressure on African teams under the revamped structure.
Under the old system, runners-up had a more predictable route to further play-offs, but Pinnick said the changes introduced by CAF now create a “winner-takes-all” scenario that fuels uncertainty.
He urged the NFF to reassess its strategy, saying: “We need to play smarter, not just harder. Every game now is like a final.”
