National Teams
“Until current NFF officials are dissolved” — Okocha sees no future for Nigerian football
By Monsurah Olatunji
Ex-international Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha has criticized the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), claiming that Nigerian football will not progress under the current administration.
This statement comes on the heels of the NFF’s announcement of Eric Chelle as the new Super Eagles head coach on a two-year contract. Okocha expressed skepticism about Chelle’s appointment, stating that it would not end the Super Eagles’ long trophy drought.
The legendary number 10 attributed Nigeria’s lack of success to the incompetence of the current NFF board, led by Ibrahim Musa Gusau. According to Okocha, the Super Eagles will continue to struggle unless the current leadership is replaced.
The Super Eagles’ last major trophy was the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where they triumphed over Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final. Despite coming close again in the 2023 edition, they were defeated 2-1 by Ivory Coast in the final under Portuguese coach José Peseiro.
Since then, the Super Eagles have had multiple coaching changes. Peseiro’s assistant, Finidi George, briefly took over as interim coach before being appointed full-time but was forced to resign due to poor results. Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen then stepped in as interim coach and helped secure qualification for the next AFCON.
Chelle’s immediate and significant challenge will be to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Currently, the three-time African champions have only three points from four matches and sit in fifth place in Group C of the qualifiers.
Okocha, however, voiced his frustration with the frequent changes in the Super Eagles’ coaching staff, arguing that it hinders the team’s development.
“The Super Eagles may not win any trophy until the current NFF officials are dissolved or reformed,” he told The Guardian.
“Appoint new officials who know more about football, who have an interest in football, who love football, whose lifestyles reflect football. You can’t appoint politicians to manage football. They will turn it into politics, and that’s what is happening today.
“We have the best players in the world, yet we have no trophy to show for it—not because of the players, absolutely not.
“When you change a coach, you change a dream, a vision, and a mission—you change a generation.
“Changing a coach isn’t just a simple matter. It harms the players, and they will lose focus unless they themselves demand a better coach. Before considering a coach change, get input from key players and interview them. Seek their opinion, because most players’ performances are based on the strong relationship they share with their coach.”
