Former Super Eagles defender Godwin Okpara has strongly rejected claims that the current board of the Nigeria Football Federation has performed well, describing the recent vote of confidence passed on them as unjustified.
Okpara did not mince words in his assessment, pointing to Nigeria’s failure to qualify for back-to-back World Cup tournaments as clear evidence of what he considers poor leadership.
“This is incompetence,” he implied, stressing that such outcomes should not be overlooked or excused.
For the former international, missing out on consecutive World Cups is not just a disappointment, it is a major failure that reflects deeper issues within the administration of Nigerian football.
“These are glaring problems,” he said, arguing that results on the pitch are a direct reflection of decisions made off it.
Okpara questioned the logic behind the vote of confidence, suggesting that it sends the wrong message about accountability and performance.
“How can you reward this?” he asked, expressing disbelief at the decision.
In his view, the role of leadership is to deliver results and create an environment for success. When those expectations are not met, there should be consequences, not endorsement.
His comments add to a growing chorus of criticism directed at the NFF, with many stakeholders calling for reforms and greater transparency.
For Okpara, the focus should now be on identifying what went wrong and taking corrective action, rather than maintaining the status quo.
“Things need to change,” he suggested, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
As Nigerian football looks ahead, the debate over governance and accountability continues to intensify.
For fans, the frustration is clear.
Because for a country with Nigeria’s football pedigree, failure to qualify for major tournaments is not just disappointing.
It is unacceptable.
