Former Nigeria international Sam Sodje has expressed his outrage at the Nigerian Football Federation’s (NFF) prolonged delay in appointing a new head coach for the Super Eagles. With the AFCON 2025 qualifiers looming, Sodje described the situation as a “disgrace” and emphasized the negative impact it has on Nigerian football.
Nearly two months have passed since Finidi George’s departure, and the NFF has yet to make a decision, leaving the national team in limbo. The NFF has reportedly shortlisted Tom Saintfiet, Eric Chelle, and Herve Renard as potential candidates, but no appointment has been made.
Sodje urged the NFF to act swiftly, suggesting that if a permanent coach cannot be appointed immediately, an interim manager should be installed to guide the team through the upcoming qualifiers. He lamented the declining standards of Nigerian football, arguing that the country has lost its competitive edge.
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“It’s just sad that we’re still talking about a coach and there’s nothing we can say,” Sodje told Brila FM. “Not only football, but sports in the country have really gone down. I think football has been something that we have to agree that we’ve lost touch with.”
Sodje’s criticism comes as the Super Eagles struggle to find form, winning just one of their last four matches. This record adds to the urgency of resolving the coaching situation as the team prepares for a challenging AFCON 2025 qualifying campaign.
The former Leeds United and West Brom defender emphasized the need for better preparation, stating that Nigeria’s football has fallen far behind other countries. He stressed that the ongoing coaching uncertainty is emblematic of deeper issues within the sport’s administration.
The AFCON 2025 qualifiers approach and the NFF must act quickly to appoint a new head coach and restore stability to the Super Eagles. Sodje’s comments highlight the growing frustration among Nigerian football fans and stakeholders, who demand better from their national team.
