Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi has voiced his disappointment over the team’s poor showing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
After six rounds of the 10-match group campaign, Nigeria find themselves six points adrift of table-toppers South Africa.
Bafana Bafana recently strengthened their lead with a convincing 2-0 away win over Benin, goals from Lyle Foster and Jayden Adams.
Nigeria’s path to the next World Cup now hangs in the balance, with memories of their failure to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar still fresh.
For Akpeyi, the current situation reflects deeper structural issues in Nigerian football.
Speaking to FARPost, the 37-year-old goalkeeper said: “The standing in the World Cup qualifiers group is a clear reflection that South African football is higher. You can have big players, but coming up with a team is something that many fail to do.”
He commended South Africa’s head coach, Hugo Broos, for building a cohesive team despite lacking global superstars.
“South Africa has managed to do that with ease under Hugo Broos. Of course, as a Nigerian, I am disappointed with how we have played the World Cup qualifiers.”
Akpeyi believes that Nigeria must take a cue from South Africa’s football model.
“We all should follow how it has been done by South Africa. The growth and progress have been due to several factors, including team effort.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s tendency towards individualism has hurt the team.
“We could be like Bafana Bafana if we have players who play for the country and not for themselves. That has been the major difference between us; in South Africa, there is no individuality.”
“I strongly believe that we deserve to be in first position. Right now, we lack so many fundamentals that South Africa has, including cohesion and identity.”