The anticipation surrounding the Super Eagles’ participation in the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers has been overshadowed by administrative delays, drawing sharp condemnation from a Nigerian football legend. Jonathan Akpoborie, a former Super Eagles standout and celebrated member of the 1985 U-16 World Cup-winning squad, has issued a fierce rebuke to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) regarding its protracted delay in announcing the official squad list. Akpoborie’s criticism centers squarely on what he perceives as a chronic organizational deficiency, warning emphatically that such “typical” tardiness fundamentally undermines the team’s preparation, cohesion, and ultimate prospects for success.
Authority Behind the Critique
Akpoborie’s voice carries significant weight in Nigerian football circles. Drawing from his extensive experience, which includes a distinguished club career in Germany with top teams like Stuttgart and Wolfsburg, and multiple appearances for the senior national team—winning medals at the 1992 and 2000 Africa Cup of Nations—he possesses an intimate understanding of the requirements for elite-level preparation. He views the NFF’s failure to publish the squad list with ample lead time as a clear and dangerous manifestation of administrative disarray, particularly given the high stakes of the upcoming fixtures.
A Pattern of Disorganization
Voicing his deep-seated frustration over what he sees as a persistent problem of poor preparation within Nigerian football administration, Akpoborie did not mince words. “It is typical, typical of Nigeria. They always waste time,” Akpoborie stated during an interview on Brila FM. This sentiment reflects a historical pattern of administrative inertia that often plagues the national team’s build-up to major competitions.
He further questioned the federation’s rationale, highlighting the immediate danger posed by the delay. “By now, there should have been an official announcement. What is the NFF waiting for? This delay can be dangerous.” The danger, he argues, lies in the lost time for coaches to strategize, for players to integrate, and for logistics to be finalized seamlessly.
The Peril of Last-Minute Planning
Akpoborie contended that this consistent practice of last-minute planning and disorganized player mobilization has been a significant impediment to Nigerian football’s advancement over the years. Such chaos not only affects technical preparation but also creates unnecessary anxiety and instability among the players.
“Maybe two or three days before the game, you’ll see everyone scrambling to bring in players,” he explained, painting a picture of systemic failure. “This attitude has affected us and kept us where we are today. Delay is dangerous, that’s the most important thing.” The former striker emphasized that proper preparation requires weeks of planning, including securing player releases from European clubs, ensuring smooth travel, and allowing the coaching staff adequate time for tactical sessions and team bonding. The current delay erodes all these vital elements.
High Stakes in Rabat
The urgency of Akpoborie’s warning is magnified by the importance of the upcoming tournament. The Super Eagles are preparing for a critical playoff tournament in Rabat, Morocco, where they will compete against regional rivals Gabon, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo for a coveted spot in the World Cup.
Their campaign is scheduled to commence with a high-stakes semi-final fixture against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex. With the tournament structure
demanding immediate results and maximum cohesion, any administrative oversight that shortens preparation time is viewed by veterans like Akpoborie as an unacceptable risk to Nigeria’s World Cup aspirations. The NFF now faces mounting pressure to release the official squad list immediately and demonstrate the organizational readiness required to support the Super Eagles’ pursuit of global qualification.
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