Former Super Eagles winger Dimeji Lawal has challenged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to move beyond words and begin concrete preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, insisting Nigeria cannot afford another qualification failure.
The former Nigeria international said the disappointment of missing back-to-back FIFA World Cups should serve as a wake-up call for football administrators, stressing that meaningful action—not blame—will determine the future of the Super Eagles.
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Nigeria failed to qualify for both the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2026 tournament, extending the country’s absence from football’s biggest stage for two consecutive editions.
“It’s easy for everyone to talk and point fingers, but what Nigerian football needs now is action. We must start preparing for the next World Cup immediately,” Lawal said.
The former African Cup Winners’ Cup winner with Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) urged the NFF leadership to develop a long-term strategy that prioritises planning, player development and technical stability.
According to Lawal, successful football nations begin their preparations years before qualification matches commence, giving coaches and players enough time to build a competitive team.
“The NFF must identify the right steps now. If we prepare early, we’ll achieve our objectives much sooner and avoid repeating the mistakes of the past,” he added.
Lawal expressed confidence that Nigeria possesses enough quality to return to the FIFA World Cup but stressed that success would depend on proper organisation and commitment from all stakeholders.
With the Super Eagles now rebuilding under head coach Eric Chelle, the former international believes early planning will be crucial as Nigeria targets qualification for the 2030 FIFA World Cup and seeks to restore its place among Africa’s football elite.
