Former Flying Eagles coach Manu Garba has warned that Nigeria risks missing another FIFA World Cup if the Super Eagles and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) continue to rely solely on talent without addressing structural issues.
Speaking to Soccernet.ng, Garba said, "Talent alone won't work." His comment comes as the Super Eagles look to bounce back from their failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Garba, who led the Flying Eagles to glory in 2013, believes the country's football administrators need to look beyond raw skill and fix the underlying problems that have plagued the national teams.
Why this matters
For Nigerian football fans, this warning hits home. The Super Eagles' absence from the 2022 World Cup was a bitter pill to swallow, and with the next tournament on the horizon, the fear of another miss is real. Garba's words serve as a reminder that talent alone won't secure a spot on the global stage.
As the NFF plans for the future, the focus must shift to building a solid foundation, from grassroots development to proper coaching and administration. Only then can Nigeria consistently compete with the world's best.
For more on the Super Eagles' recent transfer news, check out [Maduka Okoye Transfer: Super Eagles Star Makes Key Decision Amid Juventus, Inter Interest](https://nigerianbrunch.com/article/maduka-okoye-transfer-super-eagles-star-makes-key-decision-amid-juventus-inter-i).