The former Inter Milan forward was reacting to Nigeria's disappointing qualifying campaign, which ended in heartbreak after a playoff defeat to the DR Congo national football team. The result confirmed that the Super Eagles will miss back-to-back World Cup tournaments for the first time in decades.
Speaking to Brila FM, Obinna stressed that qualification is based on merit rather than reputation, urging both fans and football authorities to confront the reality of the team's shortcomings, as reported by Pulse Sports Nigeria.
"If you didn't qualify for the World Cup, it means you are not good enough to play in the World Cup. That is the truth," he said.
The former striker, who represented Nigeria at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, dismissed attempts to justify the failure, arguing that even the biggest footballing nations would face similar scrutiny under the same circumstances.
"If Brazil didn't qualify for the World Cup, it shows you aren't good enough to play in it. It's the truth," he added.
Nigeria's campaign was marked by inconsistency from the outset, with the team struggling to build momentum under former head coaches Jose Peseiro and Finidi George.
Defensive lapses, tactical uncertainty and a lack of cohesion proved costly, as the Super Eagles dropped crucial points in matches they were widely expected to win.
The Nigeria Football Federation later turned to Eric Chelle in a bid to revive their chances. While the Malian coach managed to steady performances and guide the team into the playoff stage, the late improvement ultimately fell short.
Nigeria overcame Gabon in the playoff semi-final but were eliminated by DR Congo in a tense penalty shootout. The Congolese side went on to secure qualification by defeating Jamaica in the final playoff round.
Obinna also rejected claims that DR Congo were fortunate to progress, insisting their success was fully deserved.
"They are good enough because they delivered when it mattered," he said.
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