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Former Nigerian international Bob Osim has criticized the country’s football system, arguing that poor planning, inadequate preparation and lack of innovation are contributing to the declining fortunes of Nigerian clubs in African competitions, Sports247.ng reports.
His comments come after all four of Nigeria’s representatives in the 2026/27 CAF interclub competitions failed to reach the group stage, with Rangers International and El-Kanemi Warriors suffering decisive defeats in their return matches last week. Rivers United had already been eliminated in the first qualifying round.
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The Rangers’ departure was particularly painful. After claiming a 2-0 first-leg victory over MC Alger of Algeria, the Nigerian champions lost 3-0 away from home and went down 3-2 on aggregate. El-Kanemi Warriors were also eliminated after Morocco’s Raja Club Athletic scored two late goals in Casablanca to claim a 4-2 aggregate victory following a 2-2 draw in the first leg.
Reacting to the broader challenges facing Nigerian football, Osim said the problem extends beyond individual coaches or club management, pointing instead to systemic deficiencies.
“Our system, instead of progressing, is going backwards. We are not ready yet. It is not about the coaches, it is not about the management; it is about the system. The sports system in Nigeria is very, very bad,” Osim said.
He argued that while other countries are adopting new ideas and adapting their football structures, Nigeria has not made comparable progress.
“People are trying to grow, they are innovating, they are bringing new dimensions, doing everything they can to change their football system, but in our case, we are just stagnant,” he added.
Osim also questioned the expectation that Nigerian clubs can compete for continental honors without proper preparation.
“You don’t prepare well and you want to win a trophy. How do you do it?” asked.
The latest departures have renewed scrutiny of the resources, facilities, planning and competitive standards available to Nigerian clubs compared to established continental opponents. The campaigns of Rangers and El-Kanemi showed that the promising results of the first leg were not enough to ensure progression.
For Osim, a significant improvement will require more than changes on the bench or in the club offices. He believes that the wider football system must embrace innovation, better preparation and sustained development if Nigerian teams are to compete more consistently on the African stage.
