Solomon Dalung, the former Minister of Youths and Sports Development, has expressed disappointment over Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ struggles in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday at the Palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Dalung attributed the team’s poor performance to inadequate sports management and a lack of commitment from leadership.
Dalung lamented that since he left office six years ago, Nigeria’s football has suffered a significant decline, with the Super Eagles only managing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. He emphasized that the team’s recent failure to secure qualification for the 2022 World Cup further exemplifies the decline.
Dalung criticized the current leadership’s lack of dedication to improving sports in the country, especially football, which has left the national team in a precarious position. He pointed to the absence of a strong, committed leadership structure as one of the primary reasons for the ongoing struggles.
He also highlighted the dissolution of the Ministry of Sports and its replacement with the National Sports Commission, which he believes has contributed to the lack of political will to drive sports policies effectively.
While Dalung acknowledged that the Super Eagles still had a chance to recover, he voiced skepticism, especially after the recent disappointing draw with Zimbabwe, which dashed hopes for a successful World Cup qualification campaign.
Dalung’s remarks reflect the frustration felt by many fans and stakeholders who believe that without proper leadership and structure, Nigeria’s football and sports in general may continue to face significant challenges.
