Former Super Eagles midfielder Duke Udi has voiced strong concerns about the declining state of football development in Nigeria, blaming part of the problem on the lack of involvement of ex-players in coaching and administrative roles.
In an interview with Brila.net, Udi lamented that many former Nigerian footballers have distanced themselves from the local game, unlike their counterparts in other countries who actively contribute to football’s growth.
“We should think about it in the sense that those who played football should not run away from coaching,” Udi said. “If you look at South Africa, everything about football there is being run by former players. They’re involved in coaching and administration, and they’re giving back to the game.”
Udi criticized the current trend in Nigeria where individuals with little or no football experience occupy key decision-making positions, leaving the country’s football structure struggling to progress.
“Here, our ex-footballers are running away from coaching. So who is going to do the job? Who will make the league improve when these ex-internationals, who are supposed to bring back their experience from Europe, are not involved?” he questioned.
The former Nigerian midfielder, who enjoyed a successful club and international career, emphasized that the experience and technical knowledge of ex-players are vital for nurturing young talents and elevating the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) to global standards.
Udi’s comments add to the growing debate around football administration in Nigeria, with calls for greater inclusion of former internationals in leadership, coaching, and developmental roles to restore the nation’s footballing glory.
