Sports
Ex-International Calls For Football Stakeholders Summit
Former international, Felix Owolabi, has called for a stakeholders’ meeting to address football’s decline in the country after the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the Qatar 22 World Cup.
According to him, football authorities must be circumspect in hurriedly engaging another coach for the Super Eagles, as that would be tantamount to putting the horse before the cart.
Nigeria failed to book a spot at the Mundial after Ghana’s Black Stars carried the day on away goal rule.
Speaking to The Tidesports source on Saturday, Owolabi said: “Let us accept that we all failed in our duties to ensure that the Eagles qualify for the World Cup in Qatar. Even though the players have their side of the blame, the stage to provide the best forum for the country’s talented players was absent.
This is a bitter lesson for the administrators, who never gave a level-playing field to all Nigerian players to compete for a place in the team. Majority of the players invited to camp got their jerseys on a platter of gold, and therefore felt on top of the world,” he said, adding that the media, football agents, and some individuals played key roles in the botched World Cup expedition.
“I know that some foreign-based players invited to the Eagles in the past few years were based on the influences of the media, football agents, and the rest of them. Even though these players are good in their right, but most are average players as far I am concerned. I thought it is only when players are doing well in their club sides that they are invited to the national team, where they are expected to do well. But what we see in the camp are benchwarmers, and we expect them to perform wonders because they are foreign-based!
“If we are now crying that we could not get result despite using all foreign-based players against Ghana, could not we have achieved a better result if we had a mixture of foreign-based and domestic league players? he asked.
Owolabi, who holds a doctorate in physical education continued: “What I am seeing now in our football is that we are only competing and not developing. Our administrators are only interested in competitions, and the more you go into competitions, the more you are destroying the structure because there will not be a template to develop the game at the grassroots.
“In the recent draws that were made by the CAF for clubs in Africa, you can imagine that there was no single one from Nigeria. This alone should tell us the position of our domestic league on the continent. Yet, when you read our newspapers, watch television, or listen to radio stations, you will think that our league is one of the best in Africa.
“How can our league be one of the best in Africa when two to three players from our league cannot make it to the Super Eagles? The failure of our domestic league players to make it to the Super Eagles means that there should not have been a league in the first place. I think that this is the best time to come to a round table and discuss the way forward for our football before we employ another foreign coach for the Eagles,” he stated.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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