Former Nigeria international Sam Sodje has said Nigeria must confront deeper structural problems in its football, regardless of the outcome of the protest lodged against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) over World Cup qualification.
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Speaking in a chat, Sodje admitted it is embarrassing that Nigeria’s hopes of qualification now rest on a legal decision rather than performances on the pitch, but insisted that rules must still be enforced.
“As much as it hurts me that we’re depending on the DR Congo to get this qualified for us to qualify for the World Cup, it’s kind of embarrassing for a Nigerian national team,” Sodje said.
“But at the same time, we all have to understand that there are laws, and there’s a reason for laws. If you don’t keep to the laws, you get punished.
If they’ve broken the laws, they have to get punished, and if their punishment means that we benefit from it, so be it.”
The former defender stressed that the bigger issue goes beyond the protest itself, warning that Nigeria cannot continue operating the same way and expect different results.
“Whether we go to the World Cup or not, it’s now time we really look deep into what’s going on,” he added. “The NFF has to take responsibility for what has happened.
Nigerian football right now is at the lowest it has ever been, and something has to change. We cannot keep doing the same thing and expect different results.”
Sodje further noted that even if the protest is decided in Nigeria’s favour, the country must focus on long-term rebuilding rather than short-term fixes.
“We may win the protest, but if we don’t fix the system, nothing really changes,” he said. “If we don’t go to the World Cup, the fans deserve honesty.
Hopefully time flies and the next tournament comes quickly. We have to plan properly and maintain the core of the team going forward.”
Nigeria is currently awaiting the outcome of its petition against DR Congo, a decision that could determine its World Cup fate.
However, Sodje believes the episode should serve as a wake-up call for comprehensive reforms in Nigerian football administration and planning.
