Former Super Eagles player, Sam Sodje has described Nigeria’s performance in the recent four-nation as decent, but expressed concern over the systemic failures that have hindered the team.
Reflecting on the team, Sodje acknowledged positives in the squad’s performance and the direction of the coaching crew, but stressed the need for broader structural reforms within Nigerian football.
“It has been a decent outing played two games drew one, you can see what the manager is trying to do, he is trying to get identity for the team, we saw few players make their debut, decent players, we saw a decent outing in both games,” Sodje said.
Despite the signs on the pitch, the former defender urged stakeholders to shift focus toward long-term planning and organization, warning that Nigeria is lagging behind both administratively and technically.
“It’s gone now we have to start thinking about where we are as a country, the NFF has to be reformed, the old guards has to give way, we have to understand that preparation is key,” he added.
Fix the Technical Department
Sodje emphasized that his criticism was not directed at the coaching staff, but rather at the Technical Committee of the NFF, which he believes must take responsibility for charting a clear path forward.
“We have to start preparing for the next one because we are so behind when it comes to organization, technically we are so behind as well.
“When I say technically I am not talking about Eric Chelle and the technical crew of the national team. I am talking about the technical committee at the NFF, they have to do better.”
He concluded by calling for a defined football philosophy and improved governance to meet the expectations of Nigerian fans.
“We have to know exactly what we want for our country, it’s not fair to the fans we deserve better.”
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Pressure continues to mount on the NFF following the country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with growing concerns among stakeholders about the future of Nigerian football.
With NFF elections scheduled for September, Observers warn that without meaningful reforms and a clear strategic direction, the Super Eagles risk missing out on yet another global tournament.
