The Super Eagles of Nigeria currently sit third in their World Cup Qualifying Group with 11 points, hoping to secure all six points from their remaining two matches…
A significant number of Nigerian football fans are seeking the villain in Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying disaster.
Some say it’s Finidi George, others insist it’s the NFF, and a few still blame José Peseiro. But, to be very honest, the real culprit has been staring at us in the face for years.
At the heart of our football chaos is a system that treats the Super Eagles like a plaster to cover decades of structural rot.
The truth is that Nigeria is trying to build a skyscraper without laying the foundation—and we’re shocked each time it collapses.
Finidi the Scapegoat
It’s easy to blame Finidi George. Very easy. A draw and Nigeria’s only defeat in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers under his guidance. All fingers point at him.
But he has become the victim of a national habit—scapegoating. Finidi picked up one point from two tough games against Benin and South Africa. Bad, yes. But Peseiro managed only two points from Zimbabwe and Lesotho, the bottom two teams.
So why the selective outrage? Because it’s easier to vilify the man in front of us than to confront Nigeria’s football issue that hasn’t evolved in 30 years.
The obsession with quick fixes and foreign saviours has kept us trapped in the same loop—different coaches, same story.
Jose Peseiro’s Share Of Responsibility
Peseiro didn’t exactly leave Nigeria in great shape. His Super Eagles team were unconvincing in the early matches of the World Cup qualifiers. His AFCON run papered over the cracks, but the foundation was shaky from day one.
Finidi inherited a squad used to improvising, not implementing. When the system collapses, we forget that the rot started long before him.
Peseiro, like many before him, was a symptom of Nigeria’s obsession with short-term results instead of long-term structure.
Finidi George, Jose Peseiro, and the NFF: Where the Real Blame Lies
While Nigeria’s coaching seat has changed hands between Jose Peseiro, Finidi George, and now Eric Chelle, the truth remains that neither man was set up for success.
Peseiro’s tenure lacked structure and long-term direction; Finidi inherited that same unstable system and became the latest victim of unrealistic expectations.
The real issue is not the coach on the bench but the system behind the team—or the lack of one. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has failed to create a framework that allows any manager, local or foreign, to succeed.
Without proper development, scouting structure, and continuity, the Super Eagles will always rely on raw talent instead of strategy.
Something is killing our youth football. We faced difficulties throughout the entire tournament. Was Harcourt overhyped? Kpaboro? He’s out of the question. https://t.co/J2EKjs2pzY
— Ayomide Oguntimehin (@ayo_oguntimehin) October 8, 2025
Soccernet.ng’s Verdict
Nigeria has failed to commit to structure and planning. Until that changes, the Nigerian football community will keep shouting at the wrong people while the real problem is the broken system that eats away at our football future.