Former Nigeria international Etim Esin has questioned the continued presence of the technical department within the Nigeria Football Federation, following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for back-to-back FIFA World Cups.
In a critical assessment of the current situation, Esin called for urgent reforms, insisting that Nigerian football must move away from short-term thinking and adopt a more structured, long-term approach.
“We need to change how we do things,” he said, highlighting the need for a clear plan moving forward.
According to Esin, one of the biggest problems has been the tendency to delay preparation until major competitions or qualifiers are imminent.
“You don’t wait for qualifiers,” he stressed, emphasizing that successful teams plan years in advance.
For him, the failure to qualify for consecutive World Cups should have triggered immediate action — not continuity.
This led to his most pointed question.
“Why are they still there?” he asked, referring to members of the technical department who have overseen recent setbacks.
Esin believes that accountability is essential for progress.
If those responsible for failure remain in their positions without consequence, he argues, it becomes difficult to expect different results.
“Something has to change,” he implied.
The former international also emphasized the importance of identifying and developing talent early, integrating new players into the system well before major tournaments.
For Nigerian football, the stakes are high.
With the next World Cup cycle already underway, decisions made now will shape the future of the Super Eagles.
Esin’s comments reflect a growing demand for reform, one that prioritizes planning, accountability, and long-term vision.
As debates continue, his message remains clear.
Without change, there can be no progress.
And for Nigeria, the time to act is now.
