Nigerian football has reached its “worst time” in history, according to former Super Eagles captain Segun Odegbami, who has called for fundamental changes across the country’s football system.

• Odegbami made the remarks in an interview with BBC Sport Africa, where he highlighted concerns ranging from the national teams and domestic league to grassroots development, administration and football infrastructure.

His assessment comes as the Super Eagles prepare to begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo.

Nigerian football crisis

Odegbami believes the challenges facing Nigerian football extend beyond the recent struggles of the Super Eagles and reflect wider problems within the country’s football structure.

Nigeria missed out on the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups, while the country’s women’s and age-grade national teams, as well as clubs competing in continental competitions, have also experienced setbacks in recent years.

“It has never been this bad in our entire history,” Odegbami told BBC Sport Africa.

The former striker, who was part of Nigeria’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team, also expressed concern about the financial health of the domestic game.

“Our local league is not bringing in money. Something is definitely wrong,” he said.

Nigerian football and leadership

Odegbami also questioned the leadership and administration of Nigerian football, arguing that the problems cannot be addressed simply by changing individuals in positions of authority.

His comments come amid significant developments within the Nigeria Football Federation, with the federation facing discussions over governance and proposed reforms involving the National Sports Commission, FIFA and CAF.

The NFF election scheduled for September 27 has also been suspended as the reform process continues.

For Odegbami, the country needs a football structure capable of addressing problems across every level of the game.

“The pilots are not guiding us well,” he said.

Nigerian football needs a clear pathway

Another major concern raised by Odegbami is the lack of a consistent long-term philosophy for developing Nigerian football.

He questioned the country’s approach to coaching, talent identification and player development, while also pointing to the weakening link between grassroots football, academies, clubs and the national teams.

According to the former international, Nigeria must rebuild the pathway through which young players are identified, developed and eventually integrated into professional football.

That pathway has historically played a major role in producing players who have gone on to make significant contributions to Nigerian and international football.

Nigerian football and fading infrastructure

Odegbami also drew attention to the deterioration of football infrastructure across the country.

He referenced the National Stadium in Lagos, the former Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna and UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar as venues that once played important roles in Nigerian football.

He described the damage to the country’s football heritage as “irreparable”.

While the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo has become a regular home venue for the Super Eagles, Odegbami argued that Nigeria once had a wider network of facilities that played a more significant role in the development and promotion of the game.

Nigerian football at a crossroads

The former Super Eagles captain’s comments come at a significant period for Nigerian football, with the national team beginning another AFCON qualifying campaign while discussions over reforms to the administration and development of the sport continue.

Odegbami believes the challenge extends beyond whether the Super Eagles qualify for another major tournament.

He believes Nigeria needs to rebuild the entire football ecosystem, from grassroots development and academies to professional clubs, national teams, administration and infrastructure.

The post Odegbami: Nigerian football has hit rock bottom appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

Chancel Mbemba and Yoane Wissa were on target as Democratic Repubic of Congo made a comfortable start to the 2027 AFCON qualification journey.

The Leopards cruised to a 2-0 win against Equatorial Guinea in the game played on Thursday at Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa.

Captain Mbemba fired DR Congo into an early lead, jumping highest to node home Arthur Masuaku’s delivery from a corner kick.

The visitors looked for a response and had opportunities as the first half progressed, but DR Congo maintained their advantage into the break.

In the 72nd minute, Wan Bissaka made a dashing move inside before finding Wissa who finished from close range to double the hosts advantage.

DR Congo now lead Group E and will face Zimbabwe on Monday next week. Equatorial Guinea on the other hand will seek redemption against Sierra Leone at home.

The post AFCON 2027 PAMOJA QUALIFIERS: Wissa, Mbemba on target as DR Congo see off Equatorial Guinea appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

2026 CECAFA U-20 (AFCON U-20 Qualifiers)

• Gold medal match: Sudan 1 (4) – 1 (3) Tanzania
• Bronze medal match: Uganda 2-0 Burundi

Sudan are the champions of the 2026 CECAFA U-20 championship.

A tense 4-3 post match penalty victory over hosts Tanzania spurred Sudan to their first triumph in this age group competition.

Normal time of the final played at the Uhuru stadium in Dar-es-salaam had ended goal-less before the extra 30 minutes were played.

Omer Hamd headed home Sudan ahead in the 93rd minute.

Abdulnassir Abdallah equalized after 112 minutes to send the game into shoot-outs.

Sudan held their nerves to win the dramatic shoot-out 4-3 and lift the trophy with gold medals.

Tanzania, before their home fans settled for silver. Both countries will represent the CECAFA zone at next year’s AFCON U-20 finals in Ghana.

Meanwhile, Uganda Hippos finished third to take home bronze.

Uganda overcame Burundi 2-0 in the third-place  play-off duel.

A goal in each half from Derrick Ssozi and super substitute Ashraf Kyakuwa spurred the Hippos who are coached by Ghanaian Laryea Kingston to the much desired victory before a handful of fans.

The Uganda delegation returns home on Friday afternoon.

Team Line Ups:

Sudan XI: Mustafa Mohamed Elgadal Fahoud (G.K), Osama Ameen Abdalla Manzal, Humaida Ahmed Suliman Gumaa, Monzeer Abdo Khmies Tiya, Mutaz Elfaki Elnour Wali, Samaan Amin Alfeil Koda, Rudwan Yahya Mohamed Ishag, Nagmeldin Abdelrahim Teya Toto, Mazin Fadul Albahli Taowr (Captain), Wail Galal Omer Alnour, Obai Abdalla

Subs: Mohamed Abbas Mohamed Abdalla (G.K), Mohamed Dalmugtaba Yagoub Mahmoud Habeeb, Faiz Ahmed Elseed Elfatih, Ibrahim Samani Ibrahim Anglo, Monzer Sarer, Omer Hamd Ghanim Ahmed, Osman Abaker Ismail Alshaikh, Waheed Shandi Somi Elbadri, Mohamed Del Mojtaba Musab Elbadawee

Head coach: Salaheldin Ahmed Nuoreldin Ahmed (Sudan)

Tanzania XI: Shabani Bakari (G.K), Ismail Ally, Abdallah Mnumba, Shomvi Rajabu, Arafat Masoud (Captain), Kelvin Revokatus, Ahmad Ahmad, Jofrey Malecha, Juma Sagwe, Juma Abushiri, Suleiman Suleiman

Subs: Edison Matete (G.K), Roony Gerry, Abubakar Othman, Faraji Kayanda, Bashiri Salum Kibaila, Farid Mzalendo, Machela Machela, Joseph Jr. Joseph, Abdulnasser Abdallah

Head coach: Mario Rivera Campesino (Spain)

Match officials:

• Referee: Nasser Mahamoud Houssein Mahamoud (Djibouti)
• Assistant Referee 1: Elizabeth Njoroge (Kenya)
• Assistant Referee 2: Ashraf Katerega (Uganda)
• Fourth official: Ephrame Debele Kabeta (Ethiopia)
• Commissioner: Amir Hassan (Somalia)
• General coordinator: Francois Regis Uwayezu (Rwanda)

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