Sports
Super Eagles: A Faded Brand
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have fallen from the glory days of the 90s that they are today the ‘Super Chickens’. What must be done to get the Eagles flying high again?
On that fateful night, Uncle Femi rushed to my dad’s Peugeot 504 to get the car battery, connected to the TV set, it came alive, NEPA had earlier seized power, and, once again we continued with the Nigeria vs Italy at the second round stage of the FIFA World Cup, USA ’94.
The Nigeria Super Eagles as at then, was the first African country to be ranked fifth in global football and so far,the peak of their ratings. Present day, they have capsized like a damaged boat, thrown into a museum where they become an historical object.
The most senior national football team has been reduced to nothing but a laughing object, unfortunately they have gone from ‘Super ‘Eagles’ to ‘Super Chickens’.
What went wrong is the question on the lips of many Nigerians.
Exit of fine footballers like Rashidi Yekini, ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Samson Siasia, Celestine Babayaro, Nwankwo Kanu and many others is not a blessing as we only produce average players without solid talents, a player who seems to be exemplary at the start of his career, starts to either get distracted, or become so rich, rude and nonchalant, hence we fail as a nation. However, these players give their best to club and nothing to country.
We have got to a stage where players want to adorn the jersey for show off or to attract better clubs, most of them do not have the nation’s interest at heart. Sports psychologists and administrators need to repair their damaged impression and approach to national assignments.
The Nigeria Football Federation need to revive the Super Eagles and take them back to the glory days.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations was won by proxy, and I don’t believe the Eagles were so good. They did not deserve to win that tournament. I was there from start to finish. The team was poor and lucky in most of their games. As a Nigerian I’m happy we won, but after winning what happened, we collapsed yet again, and could not defend the trophy as the team did not even qualify for Equatorial Guinea 2015.
Managed with a slim chance to qualify for the World Cup, the squad to the World Cup and Confederations Cup was the worst in the history of the Super Eagles, that squad will be easily defeated by a combination of Kano Pillars and Enyimba best legs.
Their performance was poor. We cannot always rate the Eagles on mere luck. It is unacceptable.
Nigeria is blessed with a lot of football academies, as a matter of fact, it is the in-thing now, the NFF should go back to the roots, get genuine scouts, regulate these football academies properly, get fully involved.
We are a people of over 170million and getting 30 solid players out of that should not be a big deal, players should be given trials from time to time, let us end godfatherism in players selection, let us be real if we want to improve. Let us also Provide an enabling environment to all and sundry.
Kudos and many thanks to the former NFF president Sani Lulu Abdullahi in conjunction with Festus Onigbinde for the fantastic idea of the U13 national team. These set of kids moved to the U17 and later won the FIFA World Cup in 2013, the same set won the African Youth Championship, that is passing a message, right?.
Shamefully, the NFF has scrapped the U13 national team, I always ask myself, but why? Whatever happened to continuity, my heart bleeds for our football.
And to the coaches, stop selling players as sentiments will not win you tournaments, solid talents is what you need, recently.
A certain player was heavily criticised because he is based in China, but truly he had a good match, he scored, but realistically he is not a Super Eagles material, there are better players who can dominate the field well and bring back the glory.
Must it be foreign-based players all the time? Big clubs and big names do not play football as far as I’m concerned.
Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello
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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