Nigeria's Super Eagles will not be in the World Cup. Again. For the second consecutive time, the country that once lit up the global stage with names like Okocha, Kanu, and Yekini will be watching from the sidelines as the world's biggest football tournament plays out without them.
That back-to-back absence stings in a particular way. Nigeria has one of the most passionate football cultures on the continent, and the Super Eagles carry the hopes of millions every time they pull on that green and white jersey. Missing out once can be explained. Missing out twice starts to feel like a pattern worth worrying about.
The questions this raises go beyond tactics and tournament brackets. They touch on investment, governance, player development, and what it actually takes to build a football program that shows up consistently when it matters. Fans deserve honest answers, and they deserve them now.
Originally published by Premium Times.