Former Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has called on Brila FM for a complete overhaul of Nigerian football, from youth development to administration, while expressing surprise at the level of the current generation.
A former Lazio and Trabzonspor man, Ogenyi Onazi, ex-Super Eagles midfielder and 2013 AFCON winner, has called for a “total restructuring” of Nigerian football on Brila FM, on the show No Holds Barred. According to NigeriaSoccernet, which reported his comments, he believes the reform must cover youth development, coaching pathways, administration and infrastructure.
His assessment stems from a paradox: the wealth of the current talent pool surprises him. He sums up that feeling with “Something must be wrong somewhere”, which reflects his concern about the state of football in the country.
An overhaul at every level
For Ogenyi Onazi, the problem goes beyond results alone. “Our football needs total restructuring and total rehabilitation. That’s the best thing that can happen for our football to get in place,” he said.
The former international, who has more than 50 caps for Nigeria, names four areas: youth development, coaching pathways, administration and infrastructure, according to his comments reported by NigeriaSoccernet.
Talent is not enough
While calling for a global overhaul, Ogenyi Onazi rates the current team among the most talented. “This Super Eagles team is one of the most talented groups of young players put together. Even in our time, we didn’t have this kind of talent. Something must be wrong somewhere,” he said.
He himself won the 2013 Coppa Italia with Lazio and the Turkish Cup with Trabzonspor. He also played every Super Eagles match at the 2014 World Cup, before a serious injury sustained against France in the round of 16.
A wide-ranging call
His comments were broadcast on Brila FM, on the show No Holds Barred, and reported by NigeriaSoccernet. They target the entire system, from youth development to administration, and are not limited to one team or one competition.
The question now is how much traction this plea will get among Nigerian football’s stakeholders. Ogenyi Onazi’s message, though, is clear: for him, Nigerian football needs total restructuring and total rehabilitation.