Nigeria’s hopes of featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended in painful fashion on Sunday night after the Super Eagles suffered a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in Rabat, Morocco. The loss has continued to stir reactions across the football community, with a former Nigerian Football Federation board member, Barrister Chris Green, expressing deep frustration over the state of the nation’s football ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to Nivo News, Green, who also serves as Rivers State’s Sports Commissioner, argued that winning the AFCON in Morocco would carry little significance for Nigerians following the national team’s failure to secure a World Cup ticket. He stressed that a fourth continental title would not represent any meaningful progress. “Who cares about the Nations Cup?” he said. “We have won it three times already; there is nothing new in winning the AFCON.”

The Super Eagles are scheduled to open their AFCON campaign on 23 December against Tanzania, but national sentiment remains gloomy after Nigeria missed the World Cup despite being handed a second chance through the playoffs.

Green criticised the current leadership of the NFF, insisting that the country’s football has collapsed under administrators who lack competence. He described the football system as being in disarray, noting that Nigerian football is “in tatters” due to weak administration. He lamented that the federation has become largely invisible, providing little communication or accountability to citizens. “How many people are really running football in this country? We hardly see the president. They are supposed to brief Nigerians regularly because football is a national asset,” he stated.

He further accused the NFF of diminishing Nigeria’s influence in CAF and FIFA. Citing the controversial CAF Champions League match involving Rivers United and Morocco’s RS Berkane, Green said the nation no longer commands respect in African football governance. “Even in CAF, we can’t hold our own anymore. If we had the right people there, they would respect Nigeria.”

Green dismissed the relevance of Nigerians appointed to CAF and FIFA committees, describing such roles as personal political favours that contribute nothing to the country’s football standing. He argued that these appointments carry no tangible benefit for Nigeria.

On player development, he faulted the federation for over-relying on foreign-born players, claiming the trend has weakened the domestic league and blocked opportunities for homegrown talent. He noted that the team is now “100 per cent” sourced from abroad, which he believes reflects poor investment in local football.

He emphasized that Nigeria must adopt a long-term football development blueprint rather than focusing solely on short-term tournament success. “If we win the AFCON but our football remains in tatters, what value does it add?” he asked.

Green called for a national sports conference and a comprehensive ten-year development agenda aimed at reviving the domestic league, rebuilding youth structures and restoring Nigeria’s influence in African football administration. He urged stakeholders to confront the realities facing the sport. “Let us tell ourselves the naked truth. We need total restructuring. Where will Nigerian football be in 2030, 2040, or 2050?”