Former Nigeria U-20 coach John Sam Obuh has warned that the country’s football future is at risk due to the neglect of youth development structures, particularly the U-17 and U-20 national teams.
Speaking on the state of Nigerian football, Obuh emphasized that the failure of youth teams in recent competitions paints a worrying picture for the future of the senior national team.
“It’s a serious concern,” he said.
According to the experienced coach, youth football serves as the foundation for long-term success, and without proper investment and attention, the senior team will continue to struggle.
“We must prepare for the future,” he implied.
Obuh pointed out that the inability to consistently discover and nurture young talents has led to an over-reliance on players developed abroad.
“We depend too much on foreign-based players,” he noted.
While acknowledging the quality of Nigerian players in Europe, he stressed that a strong domestic pipeline is essential for sustainability and identity.
“We need our own system,” he added.
The former coach also highlighted the importance of giving young players opportunities to showcase their abilities through structured competitions and national team exposure.
“They need a platform,” he stressed.
For Obuh, rebuilding Nigerian football must begin at the grassroots and youth levels, where the next generation of players can be properly developed.
“It starts from the bottom,” he said.
His comments reflect growing concern among stakeholders about the lack of continuity between youth teams and the Super Eagles.
As Nigeria looks ahead, the challenge will be restoring confidence in its development system.
For Obuh, the message is clear.
Invest in youth.
Build the future.
Because without it, success at the senior level becomes uncertain.
