Nigeria’s Super Eagles have reignited their ambition to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a commanding victory over Benin Republic on Tuesday…
Idah Peterside, former goalkeeper for Enyimba International and the Super Eagles, has urged for significant administrative reforms within Nigerian and African football, according to Soccernet.ng.
By netting four goals against Benin Republic in their final qualifying match, the three-time Africa Cup of Nations champions have revived their chances of securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup.
The next hurdle for Nigeria is the African play-offs, where they will face Gabon in Morocco next month.
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Nigeria’s qualification was aided by South Africa’s three-point deduction after fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their match against Lesotho.
Peterside highlighted that such administrative oversights could be prevented if football governance was handled by capable and professional individuals.
“Leadership is crucial; we must get it right. I’m not insisting that former players or specialists must be appointed, but African football needs to be managed with professionalism,” the 51-year-old stated during an interview with Soccer Beat.
“Incidents like these are rare in Europe because those entrusted with responsibilities execute their duties diligently.”
Essential Preparations for the Super Eagles
With four points secured from their initial four World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria has advanced to the play-offs. Yet, Peterside believes that better planning and organization could have improved their journey.
“There’s a fundamental issue in African football. We often neglect proper procedures, and it’s costing us dearly,” he remarked.
“With the World Cup just a year away, shouldn’t negotiations with players about training camps and preparations already be underway?”
“FIFA provides timelines and venues once qualification is confirmed. These details must be finalized early to avoid situations where players are distracted by unpaid bonuses or unsettled issues.”
“Ensuring players have peace of mind is vital for optimal performance.”
Should Nigeria secure a place at the 2026 World Cup in North America, Peterside emphasized that only players who contributed to the qualification campaign deserve to be included in the final squad.
“Many players based in Europe suddenly claim African heritage when the World Cup approaches, as if they want to capitalize on the moment,” he said.
“This should not happen after others have sacrificed to qualify. Those outsiders should remain in their countries and not disrupt the efforts of those who earned the spot.”
“The players who have put in the work deserve recognition and fair rewards,” Peterside concluded.
From Eric Chelle’s current roster, only William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi, and Wilfred Ndidi featured in Gernot Rohr’s 23-man squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, indicating that most players are eager to make their debut on football’s biggest stage.
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