The Legend Speaks
The sun was setting over the lush fields of Nigeria, but for football legend Jay-Jay Okocha, the future of the Super Eagles seemed shrouded in uncertainty. In a heartfelt interview with The Guardian, the 1994 AFCON winner delivered a sobering message to Nigerian football fans: without significant reforms in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Super Eagles’ trophy drought might stretch on indefinitely.

It’s been over a decade since Nigeria last tasted victory on the grand stage. Their triumphant 1-0 win over Burkina Faso in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final remains a cherished memory. While they came agonizingly close in 2023, losing to Côte d’Ivoire in the final, the golden days of Nigerian football feel increasingly distant.

Okocha, a former captain of the Super Eagles and a football icon, didn’t mince words about the state of football administration in Nigeria. “The Super Eagles may not win any trophy until the current NFF officials are dissolved or reformed,” he stated firmly. His voice carried the weight of experience, a man who had seen both the glory and the struggles of Nigerian football.

A System in Disarray
The former Bolton Wanderers star criticized the NFF’s penchant for appointing officials with little understanding or passion for football. “You can’t appoint politicians to manage football. They will turn it to politics, and that’s what is happening today,” he lamented.

According to Okocha, the Super Eagles’ struggles are not due to a lack of talent. “We have the best players in the world, yet we have no trophy to lay our hands on, not because of the players, absolutely not,” he stressed.

His frustrations extended to the frequent changes in the team’s coaching staff, which he believes disrupt the continuity and progress of the squad. “When you change a coach, you have changed a dream, a vision, and a mission. In short, you have changed a generation,” he said with a tone of dismay.

A Call for Change
Okocha’s plea is simple yet profound: appoint leaders who truly understand and love the game. “Appoint new officials who know more about football, who have interest in football, who love football, whose lifestyles represent football,” he urged.

For now, the Super Eagles remain a team filled with potential but lacking direction. As fans hope for a brighter future, Okocha’s words serve as both a warning and a call to action. Without meaningful reforms, the golden days of Nigerian football may remain confined to history books.