Former Super Eagles captain Jay-Jay Okocha has criticised the poor administration and lack of proper structure surrounding Nigeria’s national football team, describing the situation as frustrating and unnecessary.
Speaking during an interview on the Obi One Podcast, Okocha lamented the challenges players face, including the lack of proper campsites, unpaid bonuses and outstanding hotel bills.
“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.
Okocha also expressed concern that Nigeria’s absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup could affect the visibility of the country’s football stars.
“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.
According to the football legend, the problems affecting Nigerian football can be fixed by putting the right structures and people in place.
“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 also stressed that former footballers can play important roles in football administration, noting that their experience should not be dismissed simply because they are former players.
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