Rivers State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barrister Chris Green, has delivered a harsh critique of Nigerian football following the Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The former NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee Chairman blamed years of structural neglect, incompetence, nepotism and quick-fix approaches for the setback. Green stated that the country's football foundation has collapsed under the weight of favoritism, ethnic bias and financial corruption, insisting the national team has not been genuinely strong for an extended period.
The commissioner called for an end to lamenting and urged stakeholders to pursue concrete reforms based on integrity, merit and professionalism. He acknowledged the emotional impact on supporters who have watched the team struggle, with some fans even dying during matches. Green emphasized that Nigeria lost its status as an African football giant long ago, and warned that the situation may worsen without fundamental restructuring.
This marks the second consecutive World Cup edition Nigeria has failed to reach, following its absence from the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
The commissioner called for an end to lamenting and urged stakeholders to pursue concrete reforms based on integrity, merit and professionalism. He acknowledged the emotional impact on supporters who have watched the team struggle, with some fans even dying during matches. Green emphasized that Nigeria lost its status as an African football giant long ago, and warned that the situation may worsen without fundamental restructuring.
This marks the second consecutive World Cup edition Nigeria has failed to reach, following its absence from the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
