Former Nigeria international Bob Osim has criticised the country’s football system, arguing that poor planning, inadequate preparation and a lack of innovation are contributing to Nigerian clubs’ declining fortunes in African competitions, Sports247.ng reports.
His comments come after Nigeria’s four representatives in the 2026/27 CAF inter-club competitions failed to reach the group stage, with Rangers International and El-Kanemi Warriors suffering decisive defeats in their return fixtures last week. Rivers United had already been eliminated in the opening qualifying round.
Rangers’ exit was particularly painful. After securing a 2-0 first-leg victory over Algeria’s MC Alger, the Nigerian champions lost 3-0 away from home, crashing out 3-2 on aggregate. El-Kanemi Warriors also bowed out after Morocco’s Raja Club Athletic scored twice late in Casablanca to claim a 4-2 aggregate victory following a 2-2 draw in the first leg.
Reacting to the broader challenges facing Nigerian football, Osim said the problem extends beyond individual coaches or club management, pointing instead to systemic shortcomings.
“Our system, instead of progression, is regressing. We are not ready yet. It is not about the coaches, it is not about the management; it is about the system. The sporting system in Nigeria is very, very bad,” Osim said.
He argued that while other countries are embracing new ideas and adapting their football structures, Nigeria has failed to make comparable progress.
“People are trying to grow, people are innovating, people are bringing new dimensions, doing everything to change their football system, but in our own case, we are just stagnant,” he added.
Osim also questioned the expectation that Nigerian clubs can compete for continental honours without adequate preparation.
“You don’t prepare well and you want to go and win a trophy. How do you do that?” he asked.
The latest exits have renewed scrutiny of the resources, facilities, planning and competitive standards available to Nigerian clubs compared with established continental opponents. Rangers and El-Kanemi’s campaigns showed that promising first-leg results were not enough to secure progression.
For Osim, meaningful improvement will require more than changes in the dugout or club offices. He believes the wider football system must embrace innovation, better preparation and sustained development if Nigerian teams are to compete more consistently on the African stage.
