“Busy clubbing” – Ex-Enyimba coach blames Super Eagles players for World Cup qualification woes

Former Enyimba coach Yemi Olanrewaju has blamed the Super Eagles' struggles in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on the players' lack of commitment, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Super Eagles are in a precarious situation as they risk missing out on the FIFA World Cup for a second consecutive time. Nigeria currently sits fourth in Group C of the standings, with seven points after six rounds of games. They are six points behind group leaders South Africa, who have 13.

Nigeria has been largely underwhelming, as when the draws were made, they were odds-on favourites to top the group and seal qualification. However, they have flattered to deceive.

The Super Eagles have beaten Rwanda, settled for draws against Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and South Africa, and lost to Benin.

As things stand, only a miracle would see the Super Eagles through to the Mundial in 2026.

In the course of the qualifiers, the Super Eagles have had three different coaches—Jose Peseiro, Finidi George, and Eric Chelle, who is currently in charge.

Peseiro left the job willingly after helping Nigeria finish second at the last AFCON. But Finidi was sacked last year after drawing against South Africa and losing to Benin.

The former Enyimba coach got a lot of flak after the results of those games, and that also created doubt about his coaching ability.

But his former assistant-cum-successor at Enyimba, Olanrewaju (Yemastar), believes that Finidi wasn't to blame.

He says that their lack of commitment cost them.

What coach Yemi Olanrewaju said about the Super Eagles players

“When Finidi was the Super Eagles coach, six of the regulars were not available for the game, and the game was in the summer,” Yemastar told Lagos Talks.

“Nigerians actually want the World Cup, but the players don't want to go to the World Cup. They are not interested, take it to the bank.

“Just imagine that it was Finidi that drew against Zimbabwe at home or any home-based coach, you're dead. But nobody talks about it.

“I always tell my players that they need to have character. As players, without a coach, there are some games you should never lose. Finidi lost to Benin, but is it only Benin that cost us the World Cup? Look at the gap…

“I usually don't miss Super Eagles training because Uyo is close to Aba. As at four days before the game, the players had an important World Cup qualifier, almost all the players in Europe had already reported to their national teams despite their hectic schedule.

“Hakimi already reported to camp for Morocco, but our players were busy clubbing in Lagos when camp had opened.”

Enyimba parted ways with Yemastar in the middle of the campaign as they were unsatisfied with his run of results.

He has been without a club since then. However, he has been busy with his improvement. Yemaster recently announced the completion of his UEFA B coaching license.