Former Super Eagles midfielder Duke Udi has offered a sharp critique of Nigeria’s footballing struggles, pointing to a lack of discipline as the primary obstacle preventing the team from dominating African football.

In an interview with Brila FM, Udi, who once played for Slovakian side Slovan Bratislava, expressed admiration for the current crop of Super Eagles players. “This team is every manager’s dream,” he said, highlighting the squad’s depth and quality. “Even without a key player, we have enough talent to win any game.”

Udi emphasized that apart from Senegal and Morocco, no other African nation can rival Nigeria’s wealth of footballing talent. Yet, despite this advantage, the Super Eagles have faltered in recent years. While they comfortably qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, they are struggling to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, trailing unexpectedly behind South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin.

The former Enyimba playmaker identified discipline as the missing link to unlocking the team’s potential. “What we need is just discipline,” Udi stated. “Once discipline is established, any coach who comes in will be grateful to work with this team.”

Nigeria, ranked fourth in Africa behind Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt, last lifted the AFCON trophy in 2013. Although they reached the final earlier this year, the Super Eagles have yet to assert consistent dominance.

Udi remains optimistic, urging coaches to focus on chemistry and strategic selection. “In the whole of Africa, aside from Senegal and Morocco, no team has our depth of talent. It’s all about putting things together and helping the team gel,” he concluded.

As the Super Eagles prepare for their next challenges, Udi’s comments serve as both a critique and a call to action, reminding fans and officials alike of the team’s untapped potential.