ILORIN, Nigeria – Former Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has expressed disappointment over the declining performance of Nigeria’s Super Eagles in the ongoing FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
He attributed the team’s struggles to poor sports management and administrative inefficiencies. Dalung made these remarks on Wednesday while speaking with journalists at the Palace of the Emir of Ilorin in Kwara State.
He was in Ilorin alongside other chieftains of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on a courtesy visit.
Reflecting on the state of Nigerian football since his departure from office six years ago, Dalung lamented the downward trajectory of the national team, stating that the country’s football administration had failed to sustain its previous successes.
“The World Cup qualifier of the Super Eagles has suffered greatly in the past six years since I left office,” Dalung said. “The only time Nigeria qualified was in 2018, and we did so historically with a match to spare. Since then, Nigeria has not been able to make it to the World Cup.”
The former minister pointed out that the poor performance of the national team in recent years has significantly discouraged fans and supporters, leading to a decline in morale and enthusiasm among Nigerian football lovers.
“From the way the current campaign is going on, with the match against Rwanda, I had hope that Nigeria would get back on track and move upwards on the table. But the last match against Zimbabwe has dashed the hope of the Super Eagles flying the Nigerian flag at the next World Cup,” he added.
Nigeria’s campaign in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers has been marred by inconsistent performances, with the team struggling to secure victories against lower-ranked opponents.
Their inability to dominate in the qualifiers has raised concerns about the direction of Nigerian football and the effectiveness of its management structure.
Despite his concerns, Dalung suggested that all hope may not be entirely lost for the Super Eagles. He urged the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and other relevant stakeholders to take urgent action to address the administrative and technical issues plaguing the team.
His comments come amid widespread criticism from football analysts and fans who believe that the national team lacks strategic direction and proper leadership.
Many have called for a revamp of Nigeria’s football governance to improve the team’s performance on the international stage.
As Nigeria continues its World Cup qualifying campaign, stakeholders and supporters remain anxious about whether the team can turn things around. The next few matches will be crucial in determining the Super Eagles’ fate in their quest for a place at the FIFA World Cup.
With the Super Eagles’ recent struggles, there is growing pressure on the football authorities to implement reforms that will not only enhance the team’s performance but also restore Nigeria’s reputation as a footballing powerhouse on the African continent and beyond.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
