Super Eagles ‘genuinely on the way back to greatness,’: Odegbami Sees New Dawn for Nigerian Football
Former Nigerian international and columnist Segun Odegbami has described the Super Eagles’ exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as the beginning of a new chapter rather than the end of their journey.
Writing in his weekend column, Odegbami said the team’s semi-final defeat to Morocco on penalties should be seen as a turning point, with signs of a rebirth for Nigerian football.
Odegbami cited the reaction of John Mastoroudes, former proprietor of Leventis United FC, who expressed disappointment at the loss but praised the team’s tactics and calm approach under coach Eric Chelle.
Mastoroudes said he now believes Chelle should continue in charge, despite Nigeria’s defeat, while criticising football administration in the country for failing to provide adequate support.
Reflecting on the semi-final clash, Odegbami noted that the Super Eagles held Morocco for 120 minutes in what he described as a ‘mission impossible’ encounter.
He said the Atlas Lions dominated possession and neutralised Nigeria’s key players, including Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams, but the Eagles remained resilient and avoided conceding a goal.
He added that biased officiating and overwhelming home support for Morocco contributed to Nigeria’s struggles, but insisted the match could only have been decided by penalties.
Despite the painful exit, Odegbami highlighted positives from the tournament, including the emergence of defender Calvin Bassey, whom he tipped as a future captain of the national team.
He also backed Chelle for a contract extension, arguing that the Malian coach has matured with the squad and now understands how to get the best out of his players.
Odegbami stressed the need for reforms in Nigerian football, calling for better scouting of players abroad, investment in world-class training facilities, and improvements in coaching standards.
He criticised the state of local pitches and argued that existing companies lack the expertise to deliver turf of international quality. He also warned that poor coaching has eroded Nigeria’s traditional style of play.
On administration, Odegbami said genuine reforms and a domesticated constitution involving all stakeholders are essential for progress.
He urged the establishment of proper grassroots structures to manage the exodus of young players, curb document falsification, and track Nigerian talent in the diaspora.
Concluding, Odegbami said the semi-final against Morocco was always going to be difficult to win, but insisted the Super Eagles are ‘genuinely on the way back to greatness.’
