Nigeria is proud of its record as the only African team to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup on three occasions but now it is struggling to come to terms with missing out on the tournament for a second successive time.
The Super Eagles were unimpressive during qualification against lesser footballing nations such as Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and South Africa, winning just four out of 10 games. That earned entry to the playoffs – which ended in defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo on November 16.
“The dynamics of African football have changed and are still changing. Teams are improving, and they are no longer scared of Nigeria,” Collins Okinyo, former media officer at the Confederation for African Football (CAF), told DW.
“Even so, it is unthinkable for a team like Nigeria to miss a second World Cup. It is devastating for Nigerian fans and sad for African fans in general, but they (Nigeria) have only themselves to blame.”
Talent not enough
This came despite the fact that Africa’s direct allocation of spots for the 2026 World Cup is nine – an increase of five from 2022. Still, the team representing a nation of 240 million and led by star strikers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, who were named African Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024 respectively, failed to get the job done.
“Sunday’s loss to DR Congo in the Africa Play-off Final in Rabat remains a moment of profound sadness for Nigerian football,” the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said in a statement.
“For a nation where the Super Eagles serve as a symbol of unity, hope, and collective pride, missing out on the World Cup for a second consecutive time is a disappointment of great weight and emotional depth.”
Many have put the blame squarely on the NFF – and Okinyo is no exception.
“When a team like Nigeria does not qualify for the first time then something has to be done, but when they missed out at the 2022 World Cup, nothing seemed to change.”
Lack of continuity
There is plenty to criticize. Nigeria’s qualification campaign saw four coaches in charge. Jose Peseiro left at the end of his contract in March 2024 with his assistant Finidi George taking over. The former international lasted just five weeks amid reports of chaos behind the scenes. After Augustine Eguavoen stepped in on an interim basis, former Mali international Eric Chelle was appointed in January, but he too was unable to turn things around.
In addition to this instability, there were disputes over pay. During November’s preparations for the playoffs, players refused to train in protest over what they said were unpaid bonuses. Eventually they returned to work. Captain William Troost-Ekong posted an update on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Issue RESOLVED. We are together and, as before, focused on the games ahead!”
Needless to say however, it was far from the best build-up.
“When players aren’t getting paid or think they are not getting what they should be getting, that causes all kinds of problems,” Okinyo said.
Structural issues
Critics say that after past successes, Nigeria seemed to become complacent about player development and failed to invest in the grassroots and infrastructure. This is in sharp contrast with the recent success of Morocco, a nation that has improved to the point where the men’s team reached the last four of the 2022 World Cup.
“What Morocco has achieved is the result of a long journey.” said Yemi Idowu, chairman of the Lagos-based Nath Boys’ Football Club, which has produced several talented senior players including Nigeria international William Ndidi who now plays for Besiktas.
“If you visit their (Morocco’s) villages, you’ll see the structure. That’s what we don’t have,” Idowu added.
“Simple grass fields and functioning junior leagues are enough. Today, we can’t even get competition-grade footballs in Nigeria – most of what’s sold is fake.”
In women’s football too, Morocco has made great strides. The Atlas Lionesses did not qualify for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for 22 years after 2000 but have now reached the final in the last two tournaments.
Challenges for the women
Nigeria’s women won that title in July, a 10th triumph in just 13 continental tournaments. The success of the female team has been a bright spot in recent years as the men have struggled.
There are signs, however, that the women’s game in Africa is becoming more competitive as Morocco and Algeria invest and are becoming stronger. Greater prize money and interest from the private sector is encouraging more federations to pay more attention to the women’s game.
Nigeria is still the premier power on the continent but may soon not be as dominant.
“The women have been excellent over the years, but there is no doubt that the fear factor is going there too,” Okinyo said. “There are other teams that are improving and think they can beat Nigeria.”
Order from the top
Grassroots and infrastructure will take time but an opportunity for the men’s team to show they are still a force to be reckoned with is just around the corner; the 2025 African Cup of Nations kicks off in December. The team won the last of its third titles in 2013 and the order from the very top is that it is time to get back to winning ways.
“We must now plug all the loopholes,” said Nigeria President Bola Tinubu just hours after the loss to DR Congo.
“Our football administrators, players, and indeed all stakeholders must go back to the drawing board. Now is the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations. Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory.”
Edited by: Chuck Penfold
