Former Super Eagles striker Victor Anichebe has urged Nigerian football authorities to embrace a new way of thinking, describing the nation’s recent failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup as a possible turning point rather than merely a setback.

Anichebe, reacting to the disappointment and frustration felt across the country, said the underlying problems in Nigerian football go far deeper than corruption or financial mismanagement.

According to him, ” the real crisis lies in chronic incompetence and the continuous appointment of individuals who lack the strategic vision, experience, and understanding required to drive long-term success”.

He stressed that meaningful progress will require leadership that is selfless, strategic, and willing to invest in sustainable structures that may not yield immediate results.

“We must trust a proper process instead of chasing quick fixes,” he noted.

Anichebe also cautioned against assuming that former players automatically qualify for technical or administrative roles. Experience, education, and professional growth, he said, are essential.

“Being an ex-player is not a birthright to leadership. If you haven’t studied, built your CV, or gained the expertise needed, the role is not automatically yours,” he warned.

Victor Anichebe made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2008 and was part of the Nigerian squad that competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning a silver medal after an impressive run to the final.

Known for his physical strength and ability to hold up play, he featured for Nigeria across various international windows, contributing to key qualifiers and friendly matches.

At club level, Anichebe built a solid career in the English Premier League, most notably with Everton, where he broke into the senior team as a teenager and earned recognition for his powerful forward play.

He later featured for West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland, as well as clubs abroad, before transitioning into business and advisory roles after football.

Anichebe concluded by calling for honest, difficult conversations that will lead to bold, informed decisions if Nigeria truly wants to achieve serious and lasting improvement in football.