NFF’s scapegoat strategy puts Super Eagles’ 2025 AFCON ticket at risk

By Ekemini Samuel

Posted on August 6, 2024

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is once again embroiled in a perculiar situation that threatens the Super Eagles’ chances of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

With the first qualifiers just around the corner, the NFF has yet to appoint a new head coach, raising concerns about their preparedness and commitment to success.

This is not the first time the NFF has found itself in this situation. Before the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, they selected Finidi George as the Super Eagles coach, despite having little time to prepare for the crucial matches.

George’s tenure ended without a single victory, and the NFF’s delay in appointing a new coach has sparked fears of a repeat scenario.

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The NFF’s pattern of scapegoating coaches for their own inadequacies is a troubling trend. By hiring a new coach at the last minute, they are setting them up for failure and deflecting responsibility for their own lack of foresight and planning. A coach needs time to assess player abilities, build relationships, and implement a cohesive plan, but the NFF’s actions suggest they are more interested in finding a fall guy than achieving success.

The real problem lies not with the players or coaches but with the NFF’s systemic issues. Their repeated failure to provide stable and effective leadership has created a cycle of blame and disappointment. Instead of addressing these internal problems, the federation seems intent on deflecting responsibility by setting up new coaches as scapegoats for their own lack of foresight and planning.

The Super Eagles prepare to face Benin Republic in their first AFCON qualifier and the NFF’s delay in appointing a new coach has raised serious concerns. Will they once again sacrifice the team’s chances of success by setting up a new coach to fail? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the NFF’s scapegoat strategy is a recipe for disaster.