Former Super Eagles forward, Jonathan Akpoborie, has expressed frustration over the national team’s delayed release of its squad list for the upcoming World Cup playoff matches, just eight days before kickoff.
The ex-international described the situation as “completely avoidable” and reflective of long-standing administrative inefficiencies in Nigerian football.
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Akpoborie, who was part of the golden generation that represented Nigeria at the 2000 African Cup of Nations and the 1998 FIFA World Cup, said that such last-minute planning has become a worrying trend that often affects team preparation and overall performance.
“It’s typical Nigeria,” he said bluntly. “Every time we have a major tournament or qualifier, there’s always some delay — either in releasing the list, arranging travel logistics, or finalising training plans. This shouldn’t be happening just a week before such an important match.”
According to Akpoborie, the delay not only disrupts players’ focus but also limits the coaching crew’s ability to properly strategise, assess fitness levels, and build cohesion.
“You can’t expect world-class results with subpar preparation,” he added. “Football is no longer guesswork. Other countries finalize their lists early enough to give players time to adapt and blend, but we keep repeating the same mistakes.”
The former Wolfsburg and Stuttgart striker also questioned the communication gap between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the coaching crew, suggesting that greater transparency and efficiency are needed if the Super Eagles are to stand a real chance of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Akpoborie further warned that any form of disorganization at this stage could prove costly, especially as Nigeria faces strong competition in the upcoming CAF playoff mini-tournament. “We have the talent — no doubt — but without proper structure and preparation, even the best players can look ordinary,” he said.
He concluded by calling on the NFF to learn from past mistakes, urging them to start acting with professionalism and foresight. “We can’t keep scrambling at the last minute. It’s time we started doing things the right way,” Akpoborie stressed
