Nigerian football is facing 'the worst time in history'

Nigerian football is facing 'the worst time in history'

According to Bbc.

Context

Segun Odegbami, the famous Nigerian footballer who won the African Cup of Nations in 1980, has become a voice of criticism regarding the current state of the Nigerian football system. His experience and achievements make his opinion important in understanding the challenges facing the Super Eagles and Super Falcons on the international stage.

Why is this important

Segun Odegbami's words highlight the serious crisis facing Nigerian football. The failure of both Nigeria's men's and women's national teams to qualify for the World Cup calls into question the future of the football culture of a country renowned for its success on the international stage. Odegbami, as an African Cup of Nations winner, is calling for immediate reforms in the Nigerian Football Federation to put Nigeria back on the path to success.

Key takeaways

• Nigerian football is facing 'the worst time in history'
• Segun Odegbami criticizes the current state of Nigerian football, highlighting failures in World Cup qualification and calling for major reforms at the Nigerian Football Federation.
• Nigerian football experiencing ‘worst time in history’, says Afcon winner Segun Odegbami - BBC Sport.

As Nigeria begins its qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, former international footballer Segun Odegbami, who won the tournament on home soil in 1980, claims the country is facing the "worst time" in its football history. Over the past year, both the Nigeria Men's National Team and the Nigeria Women's National Team have failed to qualify for their respective FIFA World Cups. However, in addition to the failures of the senior national teams, Nigeria has also experienced disappointment at junior level and in African club competitions. Although the Nigerian team recently reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, Odegbami claims the fall represents a "tectonic shift" for one of the continent's traditional football powers.

"We've never had it this bad in history where we haven't qualified for the World Cup," Odegbami, 74, told BBC Sport Africa. "Our girls (Super Falcons), who were African champions, failed to win the competition (Africa Cup 2025) that was practically in their sights. All our junior teams are not performing well. Our local league is not generating income. Something is definitely wrong."

The crisis has already led to significant changes in the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). Its president, Ibrahim Gusa, secretary-general Mohammed Sanusi and several members of the federation's executive committee resigned last month amid mounting criticism.Odegbami believes Nigerian football has not been represented by "first-class administrators" and calls for restructuring to create conditions for long-term development.

"The public discontent was total. Everyone wanted them to go, to such an extent that the President of the country himself (Bola Tinubu) made a statement that he wanted reforms," ​​he added. "Everything has come together and we can now create a plan that will cover all aspects of our football development."

A joint delegation from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is holding discussions with the National Sports Commission (NSC) over the future structure of Nigerian football. The parties are working to create a roadmap for comprehensive reforms, but NFF elections scheduled for September 27 have been suspended. President Tinubu has expressed his desire to reform the system to overcome what he called "repeated failures".

Emmanuel Ikpeme has been appointed Interim Secretary General of the NFF while Ademola Olajire has been appointed Interim Deputy Secretary General. These changes have sparked renewed debate among stakeholders over the need for deep restructuring. Nigerian sports journalist Fisayo Dairo says any reforms must go beyond changing leadership.

"Reform must be about creating the right structure within which our football can thrive," says Dairo. "We must develop national teams, attract grassroots talent and have governance that includes all forms of stakeholders. The corporate sector must be fully represented so that the administration can generate funds."

For Odegbami, the current situation stands in stark contrast to the time when he helped transform Nigerian football. Dubbed "The Math" for his accuracy and skill with the ball, he was part of the Super Eagles squad that won Nigeria's first continental title in 1980, beating Algeria 3-0 in the final in Lagos. “We had unprecedented support, and fortunately the stars aligned,” he recalls. "It was an indescribable atmospheric period. This experience cannot be described or compared. It will forever remain in our memory." Nigeria lifted the Africa Cup of Nations trophy again in 1994 and 2013 and finished runners-up in 2023. The team also finished third in 2019 and at this tournament in Morocco. However, Odegbami claims sport "has not been a priority" for successive governments and believes his nation has been deceived by football administrators since the mid-1990s.

"The pilots don't drive us right, they don't drive us well," he says."And this has affected all aspects of our football development: grassroots, player discovery, player development, creating institutions that will look after them, academies and clubs that they will go to both locally and internationally. What is the coaching methodology? What is the philosophy of our football in the country? What is our culture, what is our style?"

Meanwhile, in addition to failed qualifications for the last two World Cups, problems with deteriorating infrastructure and insufficient investment have become a recurring theme in discussions about the state of Nigerian football. While other countries on the continent continue to invest in hosting major competitions, Nigeria is lagging behind. Odegbami laments that the top-notch stadiums that Nigeria once had have fallen into disrepair due to negligence. He mentions the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, which hosted African Cup matches in 1980 and 2000, as well as Liberty Stadium (now Obafemi Awolowo Stadium) in Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna and UJ Esuene Stadium in Kalibar.

"It saddens me to think how much damage they have done to Nigerian football - the infrastructure that we had in the country, some of the historical monuments that were facilities for football in this country," he adds. “Whether it was intentionally or out of ignorance, they caused irreparable damage to what was Nigeria’s heritage.Uyo is the best we have in Nigeria, but it is not half as good as what we had from the 1960s to the 90s."

The Super Eagles will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday (1600 GMT) before traveling to Guinea-Bissau on September 29. Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen has been left out of Eric Chelle's squad due to injury.

What happens next

Given the current crisis in the Nigerian Football Federation, further changes are expected in the leadership and strategy for the development of football in the country. Odegbami stresses the need to attract qualified administrators to restore Nigeria's status as a football power. Ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign, the team's success or failure could be decisive for the future of football in Nigeria.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Nigerian football?

Nigerian football is going through tough times as both the Men's and Women's national teams have failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup over the past year.

Who confirmed the crisis in Nigerian football?

The crisis was confirmed by former international footballer Segun Odegbami, who won the African Cup of Nations in 1980.

Why is there a crisis in Nigerian football now?

The crisis is caused by the failures of national teams in the international arena and the poor results of junior teams, as well as the lack of income from the local league.

What changes have taken place in the Nigerian Football Federation?

Nigerian Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusa, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and several members of the executive committee have resigned.

What does Segun Odegbami propose to improve the situation in Nigerian football?

Odegbami calls for restructuring of the Nigerian Football Federation to create conditions for the long-term development of football in the country.

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