Anichebe: ‘NFF’s real crisis is incompetence, not corruption’
Former Super Eagles striker Victor Anichebe has delivered a scathing assessment of Nigerian football’s leadership, insisting that the nation’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup should be seen as a wake-up call rather than just another disappointment.
According to Anichebe, the rot within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is not primarily about corruption or financial mismanagement, but about chronic incompetence and the repeated appointment of individuals who lack the vision, expertise, and strategic capacity to drive long-term success.
‘The real crisis lies in chronic incompetence and the continuous appointment of individuals who lack the strategic vision, experience, and understanding required to drive long-term success,’ he declared, urging a complete rethink of how football is managed in the country.
He stressed that progress will only come through leadership that is selfless, strategic, and willing to invest in sustainable structures, even if the benefits are not immediate.
Anichebe warned against the assumption that former players automatically deserve technical or administrative roles, arguing that leadership requires education, professional growth, and proven expertise.
‘Being an ex-player is not a birthright to leadership. If you haven’t studied, built your CV, or gained the expertise needed, the role is not automatically yours,’ he cautioned.
Reflecting on his own career, Anichebe recalled his debut for the Super Eagles in 2008 and his role in Nigeria’s silver medal run at the Beijing Olympics that same year.
He went on to feature for Everton, West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland, and clubs abroad before transitioning into business and advisory roles after football.
His experience, he said, has taught him that success in football administration requires more than passion, it demands competence, structure, and accountability.
He concluded by calling for honest and difficult conversations that will lead to bold, informed decisions if Nigeria truly wants to achieve lasting improvement in football.
