By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has urged the Nigeria Football Federation to adopt a long-term approach to football development after the team failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Prompt News reports.
Eric Chelle’s side will miss the mundial for the second consecutive edition after losing to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African playoffs final last November.
Troost-Ekong said it is important for the NFF to overhaul the entire football structure in the country.
“It’s a tough place to be. In 2022, we wanted to be in Qatar and missed out. We won our group but didn’t get past Ghana on away goals, which was really tough to take. This time, with more slots available for African countries, the strength of our squad and the magnitude of Nigeria as a footballing nation, there was a lot of pressure,” Troost-Ekong told beIN SPORTS.
“I think the coach, Eric Chelle, has done a fantastic job turning around a difficult start because there was upheaval from the moment he took the job.
“There will be changes again. I have also retired from international football, and it was a World Cup I wanted to be part of. In moments like this, we have to take a serious look at the structure we have in place in Nigeria in terms of preparing for long-term success.
“When you look at nations that have done well from the continent, they have put the right structures in place for 10 to 15 years, rather than relying solely on talent. We need a clear long-term vision.”
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