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Former Super Eagles captain Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha has taken a swipe at the poor administration and lack of proper structure surrounding Nigeria’s national football team, describing the situation as frustrating and completely avoidable.
Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, the football legend revealed some of the challenges he experienced around the national team, including the absence of a permanent campsite, unpaid bonuses and even outstanding hotel bills.
Okocha could not hide his frustration as he recalled situations where players had to fight for money they were already entitled to.
“In a nation like Nigeria, we don’t have any campsite for the national team. Sometimes we’ll be owing hotels. You see players fighting during tournaments for their bonuses. Come on. It’s amateur,” he said.
The former captain also expressed concern about the impact of Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that the absence could hurt the international visibility of Nigerian footballers.
“World Cup is coming and we’re not taking part. If not that maybe our names have gone beyond borders, nobody will remember us, because Nigeria is not taking part,” he stated.
For Okocha, the situation is not beyond repair. He believes Nigerian football can quickly turn the corner if the right systems are established and competent people are placed in positions where they can make a difference.
“These things can be fixed, and that’s the annoying part of it because it’s not rocket science. It’s just to put the good structure in place, get people that can add value,” Okocha said.
He further argued that former footballers should have a stronger voice in the administration of the game, insisting that their experience on the pitch gives them valuable insight that should not simply be dismissed because they have retired from playing.
For a country with such a rich football history, Okocha’s remarks have once again brought the conversation back to a familiar question: why does Nigeria continue to struggle with basic football administration despite having the talent and resources to do better?
