Former Executive Board member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Barrister Chris Green, has criticised the current leadership of the football body, describing it as incompetent and lacking the capacity to develop Nigerian football.
Green spoke to Sports Vanguard amid lingering public disappointment over the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria is set to begin its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign against Tanzania on December 23 in Morocco, but Green said the tournament means little compared to the country’s broader football decline.
“Who cares about the Nations Cup?” he said. “We have won it three times. The real issue is that Nigerian football is in tatters. The foundation laid by our founding fathers has been abandoned.”
‘NFF Lacks Competence and Visibility’
Green blamed the current NFF board for what he called the steady collapse of football structures nationwide.
“In terms of competence and capacity, the people running Nigerian football are not capable. It is clear the job is beyond them,” he said.
He also faulted the leadership’s low visibility, saying Nigerians no longer know who is in charge of football administration.
“We don’t even see the president of the federation. They are not visible, and they cannot give account of what they have done. Football is our national asset.”
Nigeria Losing Influence in CAF and FIFA — Green
Citing Rivers United’s recent CAF Confederation Cup match against Morocco’s RS Berkane, Green said Nigeria has lost respect and influence on the continental stage.
“If we had influential people in CAF, they would respect Nigeria. Even in CAF, we can’t hold our own anymore,” he said.
He accused CAF referees of consistently delivering questionable decisions against Nigerian teams and argued that Nigeria’s representatives on CAF and FIFA committees have not delivered any tangible benefit to the country.
‘Where Are the Infrastructures?’
Green dismissed claims that recent NFF projects, such as the proposed hotel, reflect progress. He said the federation has failed to attract FIFA Goal Projects or build basic football infrastructure.
“Where are the stadia? Where are the playing fields? If you don’t have training surfaces, how do you develop players?” he asked.
He also questioned the synergy between the NFF and the National Sports Commission (NSC), insisting both bodies must harmonise their roles for any meaningful progress.
Calls for Total Restructuring
Green called for a national sports conference involving key stakeholders, experts and policymakers to design a long-term plan for Nigerian football.
“We need total restructuring. Let us plan for the next 10, 20 or 30 years. Other countries plan ahead; that is why they grow,” he said.
Home-Based Players Neglected
On player development, Green criticised the overreliance on foreign-born footballers, saying it weakens the domestic league.
“When I was in the NFF, 60 percent of the national team came from the domestic league. Now it is 100 percent from abroad. What does that show?” he said.
Bonuses Controversy
Green also revisited the Super Eagles’ bonus row in Morocco, calling it “a big shame.” While acknowledging administrative lapses, he faulted the players for embarrassing the country.
“They had the chance to settle this in Uyo. The NFF should have acted earlier, but the players were wrong too,” he said.
Despite the crisis, Green expressed disappointment that Nigeria will miss the 2026 World Cup, saying it reflects deeper structural failures.
“That is where our football is today,” he concluded.
