Why Super Eagles may not win any trophy – Jay-Jay Okocha

Super Eagles legend Jay-Jay Okocha has voiced his concerns about the current state of football administration in Nigeria, Soccernet.ng reports. 

According to the former Bolton Wanderers, the Super Eagles’ trophy drought may persist unless the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) undergoes significant reforms.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria last lifted a trophy in 2013 when they defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final to clinch the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in South Africa.

Their most recent near-victory came in the 2023 AFCON tournament, where they secured a silver medal after losing to Côte d’Ivoire in the final.

In a candid statement reported by the Guardian, the former Super Eagles captain weighed in on the disconnect between the leadership of Nigerian football and the needs of the sport.

“The Super Eagles may not win any trophy until the current NFF officials are dissolved or reformed. Appoint new officials who know more about football, who have interest in football, who love football, whose lifestyles represent football.” Okocha said.

The 1994 AFCON winner criticised the practice of appointing individuals without genuine football expertise to lead the nation’s football body.

He added: “You can’t appoint politicians to manage football. They will turn it to politics, and that’s what is happening today. We have the best players in the world, yet we have no trophy to lay our hands on, not because of the players, absolutely not.”

Okocha also expressed his dismay at the frequent changes in the Super Eagles’ coaching staff, stating that such decisions disrupt the team’s progress.

“When you change a coach, you have changed a dream, a vision, and a mission. In short, you have changed a generation,” he explained.

The Super Eagles have not won a major international trophy since their triumph at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations under the late Stephen Keshi.

Despite possessing a pool of talented players plying their trade in top leagues across the globe, the team has struggled to replicate past successes, often plagued by administrative challenges.