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Former Super Eagles player Sam Sodje has described Nigeria’s performance in the recent quartet as decent but expressed concern over systemic failures that have hampered the team.
Reflecting on the team, Sodje acknowledged the positive aspects of the team’s performance and the coaching team’s direction, but emphasized the need for broader structural reforms within Nigerian football.
“It was a decent outing, we played two games and tied one, you can see what the coach is trying to do, he is trying to give the team an identity, we saw few players make their debut, decent players, we saw a decent outing in both games,” Sodje said.
Despite the signs on the ground, the former defender urged stakeholders to shift focus towards long-term planning and organisation, warning that Nigeria is falling behind both administratively and technically.
“It’s over, now we have to start thinking about where we are as a country, the NFF has to be reformed, the old guards have to give in, we have to understand that preparation is key,” he added.
Fix the Technical Department
Sodje stressed that his criticism is not directed at the coaching staff, but at the NFF Technical Committee, which, in his opinion, must take responsibility for charting a clear path forward.
“We have to start preparing for the next one because we are very behind in terms of organization and technically we are also very behind.
“When I say technically I don’t mean Eric Chelle and the national team technical team. I mean the NFF technical committee, they have to do better.”
He concluded by calling for a defined football philosophy and better 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 that 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 concern among stakeholders over the future of Nigerian football.
With NFF elections scheduled for September, observers warn that without significant reforms and clear strategic direction, the Super Eagles risk missing out on another global tournament.
