Former Super Eagles stars Emmanuel Babayaro and Femi Ajilore have voiced concerns over Nigeria’s poor outing at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), where the home-based team crashed out in the group stage, NigeriaSoccernet.com gathered.
The Super Eagles B opened with a 1-0 loss to Senegal, followed by a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Sudan, which sealed their elimination despite a 2-0 win over Congo in their final game.
Babayaro, a 1996 Olympic gold medalist, faulted the team’s preparation and player selection. “The team failed from the start because camping was held at a facility owned by an individual who also runs a club, and his coach was included in the national setup. That is unacceptable. Having six or more players from one club undermines the balance of the squad,” he said. He also cited uninspiring pre-tournament friendlies, such as consecutive draws against Zanzibar, as early warning signs.
Ajilore, a former Super Eagles midfielder, questioned the selection process, stressing that either the wrong players were picked or the domestic league itself lacks quality. “If the coaches truly picked the best from the league and this was the outcome, then we need to examine the quality of the league itself. But if not, then the process was flawed. Either way, the foundation is weak, and it reflects on the results,” he argued.
Both ex-internationals emphasized that reforms are urgently needed in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), calling for improved scouting and merit-based selection to restore credibility and competitiveness at future tournaments.