While global giants like Real Madrid, Al Ahly, and Inter Miami steal headlines at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup, former Super Eagles and Moroka Swallows goalkeeper Greg Etafia is urging Nigerian clubs to realign their focus—not on global glory just yet, but on conquering Africa first.
“It’s easy to get caught up in the hype,” Etafia said, referencing the tournament’s historic upsets like Botafogo’s 1-0 win over PSG and Inter Miami’s shocking defeat of Porto.
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“But before we dream of beating Real Madrid, we need to beat Al Ahly. We need to dominate the CAF Champions League.”
Etafia’s message is clear: ambition is important, but so is realism and discipline. Nigerian clubs, he argues, have lost their edge on the continent—not for lack of talent, but for lack of structure.
“You look at Al Ahly, Sundowns—these are clubs with clear strategies. They invest in players, coaches, and systems. That’s how you earn a seat at the global table.”
The former goalkeeper believes the path to the Club World Cup should be earned through consistent performance in CAF tournaments. “There’s money to be made in Africa too. And a strong run in the CAF Champions League opens the door to global scouts, bigger transfers, and yes, one day, the Club World Cup.”
Etafia says Nigerian players need a stable, competitive domestic platform to thrive. “Not every player must go to Europe. If the NPFL becomes competitive and well-run, we can retain talent longer and build bigger clubs.”
As the 32-team Club World Cup continues, Etafia urges humility and hard work. “We’re not far—but we’re not there yet. Let’s get our house in order. Then, when we qualify, we won’t just participate—we’ll compete.”
