The poor performance by the National U-20 team, Flying Eagles, at the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, as well as failure of the U-17 team, Golden Eaglets, to qualify for the World Cup has again brought to the fore the need to address the ‘rot’ in the country’s football system.

The Flying Eagles, led by coach Aliyu Zubairu, swallowed bitter pills in the hands of Argentina, who won 4-0 in their round of 16 clash on Wednesday night. The Nigerians had wobbled into the round of 16 as best loser.

Nigerians, who stayed awake to watch the Flying Eagles in the tournament, are disappointed, particularly, with their pattern of play.

For others, the poor performance in Chile is a reflection of how far the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has taken the country’s game backward through ‘poor leadership and misplaced priorities.’

Canada-based Nigeria sports journalist, Adewale Ajayi, could not hold back his emotion after the Flying Eagles suffered 4-0 in the hands of Argentina.

“The NFF should take full responsibility for the failure of our Golden Eaglets to qualify for a third FIFA Under 17 World Cup, and the poor performance of the Flying Eagles in Chile,” an angry Ajayi wrote on his facebook account.

“The NFF must as a matter of urgency dissolve the entire National teams’ setup. This disease is spreading fast. It has moved into the U20, U23 and Super Eagles. Unfortunately, some board members and staff of the NFF have been indicted. Out of the 15 members in the present NFF executive committee, at least five are agents. Two players in the present Flying Eagles team belong to executive committee members of the present NFF. There are also some players that buy wrist watches, shoes and mobile phones for officials to make the present Super Eagles team. There are so much revelations waiting to be published. Let’s wait for October 14, the day of reckoning (Super Eagles last World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic).

According to him, the NFF don’t have a competent technical committee. “Even if we had one, their opinion and recommendations are never looked at.

“Secondly, the Technical Department of the NFF is also another office full of dusty brains. I will not stop saying it, that the appointment of Augustine Eguavoen is the biggest disservice the NFF has done to that office. He is too comfortable with his monthly peanuts and will rather prefer to walk around in his glittering white long-sleeve shirts than to make any meaningful impact as chairman of the department.

“Eguavoen is always on the wings, waiting for another Super Eagles coach to be sacked so that he will get the opportunity to lead the National team for the umpteenth time. We definitely need a competent and fearless person in that department if we must get results.

“Manu Garba is a stubborn coach with a dirty mindset. Anytime he gets the opportunity to coach the Golden Eaglets, he already has his team list in his head. If you like recommend Diego Maradona or Messi to him, he won’t take him.

“Apart from Manu, and his poor technical crew, there is also questionable backroom staff whose job it is to come up with fake MRI results to disqualify talented footballers without godfathers. This dirty trick has been in existence for years. There is a syndicate in the NFF appointed medical centre that works with these guys to produce fake MRI results for players. That is another aspect that calls for thorough investigation.

“The truth is; Nigeria will not qualify for the U17 World Cup in the next 10 years if these acts are not addressed. The backroom staff syndicates work with these academies, sometimes without the knowledge of the head coach. They conspire, to drop very good players, claiming they failed MRI just because one agent or academy has offered to pay them big money if and when his player makes the final list,” Ajayi further alleged.

Coach Augustine Eguavoen has since denied reports linking him to the Super Eagles job.

Some other Nigerians, who spoke on Flying Eagles poor outing in Chile also blamed the NFF.

“This is exactly how the same NFF kept imposing Ladan Bosso on Nigerians for years despite his repeated failures and lack of tangible results,” one sport analyst, who gave his name as Dele, said on a
radio programme.

“His tenure only mirrored the deeper rot within our football system, a reflection of how far the NFF has dragged our game backward through poor leadership and misplaced priorities.

“Bosso’s technical deficiencies have been evident in every tournament he led our national teams to. From questionable player selections to outdated tactical approaches, his teams consistently lacked structure, identity, and discipline, qualities that define successful modern football sides. It’s time for the NFF to break free from this cycle of mediocrity and give opportunities to coaches who truly understand the game, individuals with modern technical knowledge, vision, and a clear developmental philosophy,” Dele stated.

Another sports analyst, Festus Olubanjo, said: “We don’t need politically motivated appointments anymore. These politically driven decisions have crippled our football both internally and externally, from grassroots development to the national teams.

“Until merit, professionalism, and competence become the foundation of our football administration, Nigeria will continue to suffer embarrassing results on the world stage,” Olubanjo stated.

Another football fan, who gave his name as Usman, said: “The NFF should stop handpicking people they want and allow due process. There is no structure for anything in how the NFF operates, and that is a fact.
“The chairman of the technical committee of the NFF does not have what it takes to lead in that role. We cannot continue like this NFF.”
For Steven Oduduru, agents are the major problem confronting Nigeria football.
“They can go to any length to get what they want and they are rich, offering gifts that the coaches cannot reject. Until we begin to do something on this, our football cannot be the same. The economic situation is not helping matters too as every player’s dream is to travel out after wearing the green white jersey.

“It is worrisome that up to 60 per cent of the ‘first-team’ players in the Nigeria national team are ‘second-string’ options for their respective clubs. A stark contrast to the 1990s and even most part of the 2000s and early part of the 2010s. Coincidently, the 2010-decade marked the last time the Super Eagles lifted an AFCON trophy, posed a real threat, and somewhat dominated games on the continent. It is no coincidence that national teams often mirror the weight and relevance of their players at club level.

“While managers have a huge role to play in teams, they are as good as the tools they work with. Ask the great Carlo Ancelotti about his experience at Everton.

“How many of these players command starting and regular shirts in their respective clubs? Your answer is the main reason Nigerian team is currently underperforming.”

Oduduru continues: “Are you not amazed by the way Argentina played? Their performance was a masterclass in tactical discipline, teamwork, and unity of purpose. Every player understood their role,
and the coach’s tactical brilliance was evident from start to finish. You could see a team that was hungry for victory, not individual glory. They didn’t rely on one superstar to carry the entire squad; instead, they played for each other, fought for each other, and executed their game plan with precision and selflessness.

“Their collective spirit was stronger than any individual ambition, and that’s what great football is built upon. What makes Argentina truly admirable is that their football federation is working efficiently. They have invested in proper structures, ensuring that the coaching staff are well-educated in modern football techniques, understanding tactical transitions, positional play, and the evolving dynamics of today’s high-intensity football.

“Their system is not built on favoritism or connections but on merit, strategy, and long-term vision. It is no surprise that South American players are the most sought-after talents globally. They are nurtured from a young age with solid foundations in technique, discipline, and tactical awareness.

“Their youth systems are well-organised, producing players who can easily adapt to any football culture or style in the world.

“This is the direct result of years of investment in youth development, coaching education, and football science.

“Can we say the same about Nigeria? Unfortunately, no. Our football is suffering deeply because politics, nepotism, and favoritism have replaced merit, professionalism, and technical growth.

“Our coaches, many of whom have refused to update themselves with modern training methods, are
still using outdated 1990s tactics in 2025. Selections are often influenced by connections, tribal sentiments, and religious bias instead of ability and performance. The NFF must take full responsibility. Leadership is not about occupying offices and earning monthly salaries while doing nothing tangible to improve the sport.

“If you cannot deliver, if you lack the vision, competence, or passion to lead then step aside and let capable individuals with genuine football knowledge and administrative skill take over. Football is not about politics; it is about strategy, planning, and national pride.

“We urgently need drastic reforms. Our football is sinking, and unless something changes soon, we may lose an entire generation of talent. Nigeria once commanded respect in global football, but today, we are struggling to even compete,” Oduduru stated.