Fans demand total reset of Nigerian football after recent setbacks
Fans on social media platform, X, (formerly Twitter) are demanding a total reset of Nigerian football following the Super Falcons failure to stay in the race for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The call became heated on the micro-blogging medium after sports journalist, Babatunde Koiki, proposed that government dissolve the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board, repeal its act, and appoint governance expert, Dr Joe Abah and football veteran, Michael Emenalo to lead reforms before elections.
Koiki suggested that Abah, former head of Nigeria’s Bureau of Public Service Reforms, would handle administration, while Emenalo, an ex-Super Eagles player and Chelsea director brings top-level football know-how.
While reacting to the post shared by Koiki, seasoned Nigerian sports journalist Osasu Obayiuwana @sasuo in a post shared on X described the inability of the Super Falcons to qualify for the Women’s World Cup as a disgrace and also called on the NFF board to resign immediately.
“For the first time since the @FIFAWWC started in 1991, #Nigeria’s @NGSuper_Falcons will not be there. What a disgrace. What a disaster for the nation, because @thenff have made a dog’s breakfast of Nigerian football governance. @thenff board should resign. NOW!” Obayiuwana wrote on his X page.
Other users on the social media platform agreed with Obayiuwana that the NFF board should resign immediately to allow people who have genuine interest to improve the game the opportunity to implement their ideas.
@ayodelapsche wrote; “I agree with you completely. Unfortunately, those at the helm of affairs at @thenff seem incapable of recognising such moral standards. They’ve become so accustomed to the stench of mediocrity that it appears to run through their veins.”
@ademolaadesoji also concurred; “Dissolve the board, dissolve the Falcons, sack the coach, Improve the local league and choose the core if the team from the home based players…… This team is the worst falcon team ever. Some of the old legs should go as well.
@adebayo_bsegun also supported the suggestion: “The roof has finally caved. This board has no plan since they took over the leadership. I support ur call but they won’t do the right thing. From the FA President, Sec-Gen to the TD should all go.”
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However, another X user @choobakah suggested that whoever is funding the NFF should halt pumping money into the federation immediately to allow for a total reset of the system.
“Please, whoever is responsible for funding the NFF should cut off that funding immediately, I’m not even joking at all. Enough of being scared of a FIFA ban for interference, because we’ve not even been qualifying for anything. Interfere away let them ban us and let us REST. Shambolic.” He wrote on X.
@jamilmx93 argued that Nigeria’s problem is not about a lack of talent but a lack of leadership that is accountable and open to reform.
“There is no need for another investigation of recent setbacks in Nigerian football. The problems are already clear. What the sector needs is accountability and reform. Those responsible should step aside and allow a complete restructuring of our football administration. Talent is not our problem, leadership is.” He noted.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles missed out on the 2026 World Cup; Super Falcons missed out on the 2027 World Cup; U17 missed out on three consecutive World Cups; Super Falcons had their worst-ever WAFCON outing; U20 missed out on the AFCON and FIFA U20 World Cup.
All these unbearable setbacks, happened during the tenure of incumbent FA president, Ibrahim Gusau, whose four-year stint at the helm of Nigerian football has been described as disastrous.
