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The Nigerian football landscape has recently been marred by a cycle of coach dismissals and sentiment-driven decision-making. The fervent calls for the removal of Jose Peseiro, the current coach of the Nigerian national team, and the promotion of Finidi George as his replacement after leading Enyimba FC to the NPFL glory, reflect a recurring pattern that has hindered the team’s progress. It is crucial to learn from past experiences, understand the importance of stability, and address the fundamental issues plaguing Nigerian football.

In November 2021, Gernot Rohr, the coach who had diligently built the national team over a span of five years, was displaced amidst a wave of sentiment-driven comments. Criticisms ranging from his residency outside Nigeria to his tactical approach, to lack of home base players in the national team among others were used to justify his dismissal, while the fundamental issue of his financial burden was hidden. Augustine Eguavoen was appointed as his replacement, tasked with delivering instant success in the AFCON 2022 tournament within the shortest period. Unfortunately, the team’s journey ended in disappointment during the round of 16, highlighting the consequences of abrupt coaching changes and disruptive team dynamics.

The sentiment-driven decision to replace Rohr with a home-based coach had long-lasting ramifications. The team’s performance suffered, and Nigeria ultimately missed out on qualifying for the Qatar World Cup after the then NFF president boasted of their participation in the world cup before playing qualifying game. It is essential to recognize that football is built on structure, organization, and allowing coaches to fulfill their responsibilities without undue interference be it by starving them of their renumeration or striping them power to make tactical decision(s) and selection. Constantly changing coaches hampers team development and prevents a consistent approach to long-term success. Some may argue that changing coaches like Chelsea football club brings success forgetting that football clubs are set up for short term achievement without time to build long term team achievement unlike national teams that may not play active tournament in a whole calendar year.

Critics who advocate for the replacement of coaches often fail to address the underlying problems affecting Nigerian football. Issues such as delayed payments, lack of developmental structure, the decay of the local league, poor officiating in the local league, athlete debt, and player lobbying are prevalent concerns that require urgent attention. These fundamental issues must be acknowledged and resolved to create a more conducive environment for the growth and success of the national team. Another example of this pattern of mismanagement by the sporting body in the nation is with the D’Tigers who has or had a world class coach in Mike Brown but was for no known reason was frozen out of the FIBA 2023 qualifiers, which later cost the nation the FIBA world cup. Same pattern different sport.

The Super Eagles should serve as a reflection of the managing body and the overall state of Nigerian sport. Manchester United’s one of the biggest football club in the world’s recent struggles serve as a cautionary tale, demonstrating how a club’s structure and management can negatively impact team performance. Until Nigerian sports/football is managed by seasoned professionals with a clear structure in place, neither home-based nor foreign coaches can single-handedly bring glory back to the national team.

To ensure sustained success, Nigerian football requires stability, structural reform, and a long-term vision. A well-functioning football federation, with competent professionals at the helm, is crucial for creating a solid foundation. Emulating the cohesive structure of Senegal’s national team, where team cohesion exists from grassroots to the senior level, could provide a blueprint for Nigerian football to follow.

The recurring cycle of coach dismissals in Nigerian football or other sports highlights the need for stability, structural reform, and a focus on core issues. Sentiment-driven decisions have often proven detrimental to the progress of the national team. By addressing fundamental concerns, promoting stability, and ensuring competent management, Nigerian football can pave the way for long-term success. It is time to learn from past mistakes and work towards building a solid foundation that will propel Nigerian football to new heights of achievement.