Former Super Eagles and Enyimba International goalkeeper, Peterside Idah, has slammed the Nigerian Football Federation for their approach to running football in Nigeria.

Following Nigeria's poor performance in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, several individuals, like John Mikel Obi, have called for accountability from Nigeria's football governing body.

Idah, on the other hand, has called for a complete overhaul of the sector, claiming the rottenness has been there for a very long while and has hindered the Super Eagles from experiencing success.

Idah calls for inclusion of ex-Super Eagles stars

While the NFF needs fresh ideas, the former Super Eagles goalkeeper called for the inclusion of people who've played the game and understand what it is to be a footballer to be more involved in the administrative process.

“I don’t want to get into the Nigerian case. I’ve seen this rottenness for a very long time,” the 51-year-old said in quotes revealed by Brila.

“We’ve complained deeply. Sometimes they think that because we played football, we don’t qualify to run football, and it’s a big shame.”

“I went to school, and I have enough education, and I played the game. You need to have the ability to manage things—business and whatever it is—to be able to run an organisation.

“But sometimes they don’t honour us. They don’t respect us. Once you play football, they look at you as a dropout. I’m not.”

In the meantime, the Super Eagles can tailor their focus to the upcoming AFCON 2025 competition, as a dream for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is out the window.