Former Nigeria international Tijani Babangida has urged the Super Eagles not to allow the ongoing administrative crisis and reform process surrounding the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to affect their bid to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Babangida believes the national team’s immediate sporting objectives must remain separate from the uncertainty surrounding the administration of Nigerian football, with crucial qualifying matches approaching.
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Nigeria are preparing for September’s AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, matches that could prove decisive in the race for a place at the continental showpiece.
The Super Eagles will face Madagascar on September 25 before taking on Guinea-Bissau on September 29, with the fixtures carrying additional importance because Tanzania, the fourth team in Group L, are already guaranteed a place at AFCON 2027 as co-hosts.
That situation leaves Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau effectively competing for the group’s remaining automatic qualification ticket.
For Babangida, the uncertainty away from the pitch should therefore not become a distraction for the players or technical crew.
The former Ajax winger believes the current interim administrative arrangement is capable of providing enough stability for the Super Eagles while the wider reform process continues.
He stressed that those responsible for the technical side of the national team must remain focused on preparing the players properly and ensuring that Nigeria approaches the qualifiers in the best possible condition.
Babangida’s comments come during a significant period of transition in Nigerian football following the resignation of the previous NFF leadership and the commencement of a broader reform process aimed at restructuring the administration of the sport.
While debate continues over the future governance of the federation, the Super Eagles face a more immediate challenge on the pitch.
Nigeria cannot afford to allow administrative uncertainty to undermine another major qualification campaign, particularly after recent disappointments surrounding the national team.
Babangida, who represented Nigeria at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and won Olympic gold with the Dream Team at Atlanta 1996, believes everyone involved with the Super Eagles must understand the importance of keeping attention firmly on the upcoming matches.
For the former international, football administration and reform can continue away from the pitch, but the players must concentrate on delivering the results required to reach AFCON 2027.
The NFF may be undergoing major changes, but Babangida’s message to the Super Eagles is simple: leave the crisis off the pitch and get the qualification job done.
