Former Nigerian junior international Oloyede Taiwo has joined the growing chorus demanding sweeping changes to the Super Eagles squad, arguing that Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup should trigger a long-overdue reset.
According to Taiwo, too many senior players have “reached the end of their cycle,” and it is time for the national team to embrace youth, hunger and long-term planning.
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Speaking in the aftermath of Nigeria’s heartbreaking playoff defeat to DR Congo, Oloyede Taiwo said the warning signs had been evident for years. He criticised what he described as “repeated reliance on the same names,” insisting that several players have declined physically and no longer bring the sharpness or intensity required for international football. In his words, some should “go to rest” and allow new blood to take over.
Taiwo stressed that Nigeria’s biggest mistake has been failing to refresh the squad between World Cup cycles, allowing stagnation to creep in while other African nations rebuilt with younger, stronger and more dynamic squads. He noted that although Nigeria possesses individual talent, the team consistently struggles when key players — especially Victor Osimhen — are unavailable, pointing to structural flaws in the squad.
In a major show of support, Taiwo urged the NFF to retain Eric Chelle, arguing that continuity is essential ahead of December’s AFCON in Morocco. He said Chelle should not be judged solely on the World Cup miss, insisting that the coach has shown courage in promoting players like Benjamin Frederick and Akor Adams. According to him, rebuilding is impossible if a new coach is appointed after every setback.
He recommended injecting six or seven U20 players into the senior team immediately, giving them time to adapt ahead of the next World Cup cycle. Taiwo concluded that short-term pain may be unavoidable, but a fresh generation — properly nurtured — is the only way Nigeria can reclaim its place among football’s global powers
