Idah Peterside, the former goalkeeper for the Super Eagles, has called for comprehensive reforms in the management of Nigerian and African football.
Nigeria faced challenges during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, falling short of securing direct entry to the tournament.
They finished second in their group, narrowly missing out on automatic qualification by a single point to South Africa, who clinched the spot.
Nonetheless, Nigeria secured a place in the World Cup playoffs after a decisive 4-0 victory over Benin on the final matchday of the qualifiers.
Peterside Advocates for Overhaul in Football Administration
Peterside highlighted the Super Eagles’ recent difficulties as symptomatic of broader administrative shortcomings prevalent across African football.
“The core issue is leadership; it must be addressed properly,” the 51-year-old remarked during an interview on Soccer Beat. “I’m not insisting that former players or specialists must be appointed, but African football requires professional management.”
He added, “In Europe, such problems rarely arise because those entrusted with responsibilities execute their roles efficiently.”
“There is a fundamental flaw in how things are handled in Africa. We resist adopting the right approaches, and this reluctance is proving costly,” Peterside lamented.
As the Super Eagles prepare to face Gabon in the upcoming African playoffs, Peterside believes that with improved foresight and organization from the start, their path could have been less arduous.