Former national team coach James Peters has raised concerns over the breakdown of Nigeria’s player development structure, warning that the absence of a proper progression system is hurting the Super Eagles.
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According to Peters, one of the biggest issues facing Nigerian football today is the lack of a clear pathway from youth teams to the senior national team.
“We’ve lost that structure,” he said, pointing to the disconnect between various age-grade teams.
He specifically highlighted the decline of the U-23 system, which in the past served as a crucial bridge between youth football and the senior team.
“That system helped us,” he explained, recalling how players were once nurtured and prepared through a structured progression.
Peters noted that many of Nigeria’s former stars came through this pathway, gaining valuable experience at the U-23 level before transitioning to the Super Eagles.
But in recent years, he believes that continuity has been lacking.
“There’s no proper transition now,” he implied.
The former coach is now calling for the reintroduction and strengthening of the U-23 setup, arguing that it would provide a platform for identifying and developing local talents.
He also suggested that such players could be tested in friendly matches, giving them exposure without the pressure of major tournaments.
“We need to rebuild that pipeline,” he stressed.
For Peters, the issue goes beyond just talent, it is about organization and planning.
Without a structured system, he warned, Nigeria risks wasting potential and failing to maximize the abilities of its players.
As discussions about reform continue, his message adds to the growing call for long-term solutions.
Because in football, success at the top depends on what happens below.
And without a pathway, there can be no progress.
