‘Their national team has become mediocre’ - South African legend claims the NPFL has affected Super Eagles team

South African legend Joe Masilela has asserted that the quality of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has led to the recent struggles of the Super Eagles.

Masilela's comments follow Mamelodi Sundowns' dominant 5-1 victory over NPFL champions Remo Stars in a recent CAF Champions League qualifier at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.

Known as 'Fire' during his playing career, Masilela argued that the Premier Soccer League (PSL) giants had little reason to celebrate their comprehensive win, dismissing the NPFL as a weaker competition compared to its South African counterpart.

Over the past several years, Nigerian clubs have struggled to make an impact in continental competitions. 

Masilela blames NPFL for Super Eagles woes

Masilela remains unimpressed, believing that both Nigerian club football and the Super Eagles have lost their former prestige.

"I didn't even celebrate the 5-1 win in the first leg. These are weak teams," Masilela told KickOff. 

"The Nigerian league is no longer competitive. Even their national team has become mediocre. It's clear they are struggling."

"It’s not the strong, competitive Nigerian league we once knew. Remo Stars may be champions, but they're champions of a weak league. If you compare it to our Betway Premiership, you will see a big difference."

The legend concluded by cautioning against overstating the significance of his former club's performance against the Nigerian side.

"So, we shouldn't read too much into how Sundowns perform against Remo Stars. Look at the Nigerian national team; it's no longer a team that strikes fear," he finished.