How Are the Mighty Fallen? Super Eagles’ Struggles Beyond the Pitch
3 min read
By Coach Emmanuel Ndubuisi Odidika Napoli Sports Club, Johannesburg, South Africa
First, let me congratulate our beloved Super Eagles for their victory against Rwanda yesterday. It was a hard-fought win, and indeed every Nigerian is proud of the team for keeping qualification hopes alive.
However, as we celebrate, the truth remains that our Super Eagles are still struggling to qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup. This struggle, in my honest opinion, stems from more than just the games on the pitch. It is rooted in poor preparation, poor administration, and a lack of proper direction for Nigerian football.
From my study and experience as a coach, here are some key reasons why the Super Eagles have been struggling, despite having a wealth of quality players:
1. Poor Administration
Bad administration is crippling Nigerian football. Do we lack capable people in office, or do those in charge simply not know how to run the game effectively? This is a fundamental issue. Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh once said that if Nigeria fails to qualify for the World Cup, all NFF officials should resign. That statement is worth reflecting on.
2. Questionable Coaching Appointments
The appointment of coaches has been a recurring problem. With all due respect, the decision to appoint Finidi George as Super Eagles head coach was premature.
Is George Finidi a bad coach? Certainly not. But is he mature enough for the Super Eagles job at this stage? No. Coaching is not just about paper qualifications like UEFA A or CAF Pro Licence; it is about consistency, experience, and active involvement. Without these, even the best certifications will not guarantee success.
Similarly, while Jose Peseiro was a decent coach, he did not have the tactical depth to elevate the Super Eagles, and his style arguably weakened the team further.
3. Flawed Player Selection
Player selection should be based on merit—not tribe, sect, or politics. Sadly, we continue to see players who lack the hunger and ability to represent Nigeria still being invited. Wearing the Super Eagles jersey should be an honour reserved for those with skill, passion, and commitment.
4. Lack of Hunger from Players
Some of our players show little determination or desire to fight for victory. Beyond coaching, football demands hunger, grit, and pride in representing one’s country. Even when results don’t go our way, Nigerians will support players who fight with passion and show commitment on the pitch.
The Harsh Truth: A Miracle is Needed
At this point, our World Cup dream depends on a miracle. But this is a situation that could have been avoided with better preparation and administration. We dropped points against the likes of Lesotho and Zimbabwe—matches we should have won with the calibre of players at our disposal.
God is a God of principles. When we fail to do the basics right, we resort to pleading for miracles. That is exactly where Nigerian football finds itself today.
A Call for Change
This message is not to attack anyone personally but to highlight the urgent need for reform. If Nigerian football is to move forward, serious steps must be taken to address these issues—administration, coaching, player selection, and player mentality.
The future of our football depends on bold decisions, honest reforms, and a commitment to excellence. Otherwise, history will keep repeating itself
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
