With the first 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on the horizon, the Super Eagles find themselves without a head coach, leaving them vulnerable ahead of their crucial clash against Benin Republic. Despite the urgency, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to make a key appointment, seemingly repeating a troubling pattern of setting up new coaches to take the fall for their own shortcomings.

Previously, the NFF appointed Finidi George to lead the Super Eagles just before the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Endorsed by former NFF President Amaju Pinnick, Finidi was handed the job with little preparation time, leading to a disappointing tenure marked by a loss to Benin Republic and a draw against South Africa, which ended Nigeria’s World Cup aspirations.

Now, as the NFF delays appointing a new coach for the AFCON qualifiers, concerns are growing that they are repeating past mistakes. By hiring someone at the last minute, they are placing an unrealistic burden on the new coach, expecting immediate success without giving them adequate time to understand the team and develop effective strategies.

This ongoing issue highlights deeper systemic problems within the NFF. Instead of addressing their own leadership failures, the federation seems intent on deflecting responsibility, setting up coaches to be scapegoats for their own lack of foresight and planning.