Former Nigerian international Sam Sodje has called on the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and other sports stakeholders to take decisive action to prepare the Super Eagles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Sodje expressed disappointment in the team’s recent performances, particularly their 2-1 home defeat to Rwanda, and emphasized the need for urgent reforms.
Concerns Over Player Commitment
As revealed by The Guardian, Sodje criticized the attitude of some Super Eagles players, claiming they fail to give their best when representing the national team.
“We were missing some creative players. Right now, we’re not good to go because the players are not doing themselves justice. They’re not applying themselves well when they play for Nigeria,” Sodje remarked.
He stressed that unless the players start showing more dedication and a sense of purpose, the team will continue to struggle against stronger opponents.
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Call for Strategic Reforms
The ex-Super Eagles defender urged the NFF to address technical shortcomings, suggesting that a lack of proper planning and tactical direction is hindering the team’s progress.
“If we continue playing like this, we’ll struggle. The NFF needs to go back to the drawing board to fix these issues. Otherwise, we’ll keep progressing in error, and that will cost us dearly against big teams,” Sodje cautioned.
Eguavoen’s Leadership Under Scrutiny
Sodje also called for a review of head coach Austin Eguavoen’s performance, noting that the team’s recent results have been far from impressive.
“The NFF must evaluate Eguavoen’s results. At the moment, things are not looking good, and it’s time to make the necessary changes to ensure the team is ready for international competitions,” he added.
