Former Super Eagles defender Sam Sodje has strongly criticised the Nigeria Football Federation over the quality of friendly matches arranged for the national team in the upcoming international window.
Sodje expressed disappointment that the Nigeria national football team are scheduled to face Jordan and Iran, arguing that a nation with Nigeria’s football pedigree should be playing against higher-ranked opponents.
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“I feel sorry for Nigerians that our football is being handled by these kinds of administrators,” Sodje said.
The former Reading defender insisted that friendly matches are meant to help a team test itself against strong opposition and improve ahead of major tournaments. According to him, arranging games against teams that do not reflect Nigeria’s football level does little to help the team grow competitively.
“Nigeria should be playing stronger teams, not Jordan and Iran,” he added.
Sodje believes the choice of opponents reflects deeper issues in the planning and organisation of Nigerian football, especially when compared to how other top football nations schedule their international friendlies.
“When you look at other countries, they plan properly and face top opposition,” he noted.
The former defender argued that the Super Eagles need competitive games to prepare for future tournaments and maintain their status as one of Africa’s leading football nations.
“Friendly games should prepare you for the highest level, not reduce the standard,” he explained.
Sodje also stressed that Nigerian fans deserve to see their national team tested against quality opponents that can push the players to improve.
“The Super Eagles are a big team in Africa and should be treated as such,” he said.
He concluded by urging the football authorities to rethink their approach to planning international friendlies.
“Nigeria must aim higher if we want to compete with the best teams in the world,” Sodje stated.
