Okoku urges the Super Eagles to learn from the failure of the World Cup

Former Nigerian international Paul Okoku has described the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup as a painful setback but insists it should serve as a turning point in the rebuilding of Nigerian football.

Speaking in an exclusive chat with Sports centerOkoku said Nigeria has the talent, football culture and population to compete among the global elite, but stressed that the country’s football administrators must use disappointment as motivation to strengthen the foundations of the game.

“Nigeria belongs in the FIFA World Cup. We have the talent, football culture and population to compete with the best in the world,” Okoku said. Sports center.

“Missing a World Cup is painful, but it should become the catalyst for building a stronger future. We must honestly examine what went wrong, strengthen our football structures, invest in grassroots development, improve our national league, embrace technology and artificial intelligence and ensure continuity in our national teams.”

The former international, who represented Nigeria at the 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship in Mexico, said consistent planning and long-term investment remain critical for the Super Eagles to return to the world stage and compete for honours.

Reflecting on his playing days, Okoku urged the current generation of players to embrace the values ​​that defined their era, including patriotism, discipline, teamwork and healthy competition.

“I would love to see more of the hunger, patriotism, resilience and sense of collective responsibility that defined our generation. Representing Nigeria was a privilege, not a right,” he said.

He also advocated for stronger links between the Super Eagles and the Nigerian Premier Football League, noting that many players of his generation were called up to the national team through the national league.

“We must continue to identify, develop and provide opportunities to outstanding local players along with those who excel abroad,” he added.

Despite Nigeria’s recent woes, Okoku expressed optimism about the future, describing the current generation of players as talented and capable of restoring the country’s football fortunes if they combine knowledge of modern football with humility, discipline and unity.

The former winger also reflected on how the FIFA World Cup has evolved over the decades, pointing to advances in sports science, technology and match refereeing.

“Today’s game is much more physical than in our time and players must adapt to the way matches are refereed,” he explained. “The hydration break is another important difference. It can help players recover, but it can also affect a team’s rhythm depending on the situation.”

Beyond football, Okoku said the lessons he learned from the World Cup have shaped his life as a leader, mentor and father.

“Preparation gives you confidence, teamwork brings success and humility keeps you strong. Those are lessons that have guided me throughout my life,” he said.

Okoku also paid tribute to the late former Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, describing him as one of the brightest minds in Nigerian football.

According to him, Onigbinde’s attention to detail, his courage to trust young players and his commitment to developing well-rounded individuals left a lasting impact on generations of Nigerian footballers.

“Coach Onigbinde trained footballers, but most importantly, he trained men. His greatest legacy is not only the games he won but the lives he transformed,” Okoku said. Sports center.

He recalled how the late coach voluntarily joined one of his humanitarian projects at Delta State and continued mentoring former players long after his retirement from football.

Okoku also remembered his late teammate Henry Nwosu, who helped him reconnect with Onigbinde during the project, describing both men as selfless leaders whose contributions to Nigerian football will never be forgotten.

As Nigeria continues its rebuilding process following its World Cup qualifying disappointment, Okoku believes the country’s future remains bright, provided stakeholders prioritize grassroots development, continuity and character alongside talent.

“We have tremendous talent. If we combine the knowledge of modern football with discipline, patriotism and unity, Nigerian football has a very bright future,” he said.