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Former Nigerian footballer Emeka Ezeugo has expressed his frustration and concern over the state of Nigerian football, particularly the management and leadership within the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
In an impassioned statement, Ezeugo criticized the current administration and coaches’ strategies, suggesting that football in the country is suffering due to corruption and poor leadership.
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Ezeugo began by questioning the current reverence towards Gernot Rohr, former coach of the Nigerian national team, pointing out that despite his tenure, the standards of Nigerian football have not improved.
He recalled his prediction before the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) that Nigeria would struggle, citing their poor performances against teams like Lesotho and Zimbabwe as indicators of deeper problems.
“Haven’t we made Rohr look like the best soccer coach in the world?” Ezeugo asked, highlighting the perception of a decline in Nigeria’s football performance.
Ezeugo lamented the lack of leadership qualities among former players now serving in administrative roles, arguing that leadership is an innate quality that many of these individuals lack.
He criticized the NFF for filling the national team with players chosen through corrupt practices, leading to poor performances on the international stage.
He emphasized systemic corruption within the NFF, stating that officials act as agents, saddling the national team with their own players for personal gain.
“Every Dick, Tom and Jerry has access to the Nigerian national team,” he said, highlighting the technical deficiencies and poor teamwork exhibited by the current squad.
Ezeugo’s criticism extended to the broader structure of Nigerian football, accusing the NFF of being populated by corrupt officials who prioritize their interests over the development of the sport.
He called for a complete overhaul of the NFF, including the sacking of current coaches and administrators, and suggested that only radical change could revive Nigerian football.
He concluded with a dire prediction: if these systemic issues are not addressed, Nigeria will continue to miss out on future World Cups.
“If we don’t rectify things, we will also miss the 2030 World Cup,” Ezeugo warned, advocating a revolution within the NFF to cleanse the organization of its current ills.
Ezeugo’s passionate statement is a call to action for all stakeholders in Nigerian football, urging them to prioritize integrity, proper management and genuine leadership to restore the nation’s former glory in the sport.
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