Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has warned that Nigeria is already lagging behind in preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, insisting that immediate action is needed to prevent another disappointing qualification campaign.
The former midfielder expressed concern that the Super Eagles cannot afford to repeat the mistakes that led to their failure to qualify for consecutive FIFA World Cups, stressing that planning for the next cycle should already be well underway.
“We are already behind. Preparations for the next World Cup should have started months ago because modern football is built on long-term planning,” Oliseh said.
Nigeria missed out on qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after losing to Ghana on the away-goals rule and also failed to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a proud tradition of regular appearances on football’s biggest stage.
Oliseh warned that continued absence from major tournaments could allow emerging African nations to close the gap on traditional powerhouses like Nigeria.
“Countries such as Cape Verde are gaining valuable experience by playing regularly at the highest level. If we continue missing World Cups, the gap will continue to narrow,” he added.
The former Borussia Dortmund and Ajax midfielder maintained that Nigeria possesses one of the deepest pools of football talent on the continent but argued that talent alone is no longer enough to guarantee success.
He called for urgent reforms to the country’s football structures, insisting that improved planning, player development and administrative stability are essential if the Super Eagles are to reclaim their place among Africa’s leading national teams.
Oliseh also stressed that sustained investment in grassroots football and a clearly defined long-term football strategy would be critical to ensuring Nigeria remains competitive against rapidly improving nations across the continent.
Attention will now turn to the Nigeria Football Federation and the Super Eagles technical crew as preparations gradually begin for the next qualification campaign, with growing calls for a structured approach to ensure the three-time African champions return to football’s biggest stage.
