NFF setting Eagles up for failure — Ex-stars

Nigeria’s ex-internationals have cast a shadow of doubt over the Super Eagles ability to make a flying start to their 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign, no thanks to the inability of the Nigeria Football Federation to appoint a substantive head coach for the team with less than two weeks to the games, The PUNCH reports.

Nigeria will face Benin Republic on Saturday, September 7 in Uyo before filing out against Rwanda three days later.

Coincidentally, both teams are in Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying group, and Benin Republic, led by former Nigeria coach, Genort Rohr, had beaten the Super Eagles in their first leg encounter, which was played in Abidjan in June.

Former head coach Finidi George resigned after the games after just over a month in charge.

The Super Eagles list for the qualifiers is expected to be released soon, but the head coach for the assignments remains unknown. Swedish manager Janne Andersson and former Ivory Coast coach Harve Renard have been linked with the job.

Former Eagles captain Henry Nwosu, who also worked as an assistant coach of the team during the 2002 FIFA World Cup, said he was not shocked the team doesn’t have a head coach yet.

“You know Nigeria and Nigerians; we have a way of solving problems in a hurry. I am not surprised we don’t have a coach yet, but I’m sure they will get someone,” Nwosu told The PUNCH.

“Once there is still time, they believe they can do something that is not the best. Preparation is important, so I don’t know; I just pray that we prepare to achieve something because Nigerians won’t be happy if we fail to qualify for another major competition.”

Chairman of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) Task Force, Harrison Jalla, said the NFF was on track to repeat mistakes they made with the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

“The 2026 World Cup qualifier for Nigeria is over; only a miracle can qualify Nigeria. The 2025 Nations Cup is also towing the same route; Nigeria’s qualification cannot be guaranteed with the current shambolic approach of a failed foreign coach expedition,” Jalla told The PUNCH.

“Where else can this happen anywhere in the world without consequences? Two weeks to major qualifiers, no coach for the senior national team? The NFF has already primed the Super Eagles to fail.”

“When the players don’t perform, we blame them and the coach. This time around, the blame will go to the NFF,” former Super Eagles defender Godwin Okpara told The PUNCH.

“I think they are not professional enough to have waited so long without a coach when you have important matches coming up. This situation would not have been if the NFF had not gone ahead to say they would hire a foreign coach when Finidi was in charge.

“The pressure on Finidi was great, and it looked like NFF didn’t want a home-based coach. They didn’t just want to tell us. For the quality of the players we have, it’s a shame that they are struggling. Look at Senegal and Ivory Coast; look at what they have done with their national teams.”

NFF president Ibrahim Gusau promised to take drastic action following a meeting with the Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, in June.

“We also have the AFCON qualifiers with the six matches to be completed before March next year. And by the grace of God, that will show Nigerians the steps to make sure we qualify.”