Former Super Eagles coach, Chief Festus Onigbinde, has told Nigerians not to expect magic from the senior national team in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Recall that Nigeria has managed 1-1 draw against Lesotho and another 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in their campaign to sit third on Group C table.
Speaking with Completesports.com, Onigbinde stated that the state of football in the country is not what it used to be in the past.
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“What is happening to Nigerian football is very bad and we should not focus only on the 2026 World Cup qualifiers or 2023 AFCON.
“These things are not achieved overnight but something you have to prepare for over a period of time. But we always expect magic to happen from Eagles.”
Citing article two of the FIFA status, the former CAF and FIFA technical instructor said that there is need for proper developmental programmes where the game of football will be improved upon.
“Again, FIFA has a status, and in article two of that status, under objectives and why are you running football. There is a very important point which is to improve the game of football constantly. But the, what are we doing to improve the game of football in Nigeria?
“Do we have a developmental programmes. If we don’t then why are we crying if we lose a match. Or when we don’t qualify for a competition? Things were not like this in the past. But the people who are running football now know what they are doing. I will always wish them the best of luck.
Onigbinde also revealed that the decision to sack the coach of the senior national team, Jose Peseiro lies with the Nigeria Football Federation.
“The decision to sack Peseiro is that of the people who are managing the football now. And I am not one of them because I am not close to them. If Peseiro is sacked now, I understand that there is a clause in his contract that he will be paid certain amount of money. I that money going to him alone.”
By Augustine Akhilomen
