Former Nigeria international Taiwo Oloyede has advised the Nigeria national football team to move on from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification race and instead focus on rebuilding the squad for future competitions.
Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup remain uncertain as the country awaits a final decision from FIFA over its petition concerning the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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However, Oloyede believes the team should shift attention away from the controversy and concentrate on long-term development.
“Nigeria should forget about the 2026 World Cup and focus on the future,” Oloyede said.
The former international suggested that the upcoming international window should be used to evaluate new players and strengthen the squad.
“This is the time for the coach to test players who are on his radar,” he explained.
According to Oloyede, friendly matches offer an ideal opportunity for the coaching staff to experiment with different combinations and identify emerging talents.
“Friendly games are meant for trying new players and building a stronger team,” he added.
The former defender stressed that Nigeria must begin planning for upcoming tournaments rather than dwelling on past disappointments.
“We should now look ahead to other competitions that are coming,” he said.
Oloyede also hinted that attention should already be shifting toward the next Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Eagles will aim to improve on recent performances.
“There are other tournaments ahead, including the next AFCON, and preparation should start now,” he stated.
The former international concluded by urging patience and strategic planning as the national team continues its rebuilding process.
“The focus should be on building a team that will compete strongly in the future,” he said
