I can’t advise any of my siblings - Ex-Super Eagles midfielder on playing for Nigeria

Former Super Eagles midfielder Haruna Lukman has delivered a scathing assessment of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), declaring he would “never recommend any of his siblings” to play in the domestic competition.

Speaking on The Abu Azeez Podcast,as reported by PUNCH, Haruna lamented widespread corruption and poor treatment of players in the league, citing match-fixing as a major issue.

“The Nigerian Premier League is very poor, I am very sorry to say. They do not respect the senior ones who played in Europe. When you decide to come back home to play, they offer you peanuts,” Haruna said.

“I watched Rivers against Ikorodu City at Onikan, and I witnessed all sorts of match-fixing by the referees, favouring one team against the other. For me, Nigerian league is out of it. I can’t advise any of my siblings or anyone close to me to play in the Nigerian league.”

The former AS Monaco star, who earned 15 caps for Nigeria, added that he was disappointed by the lack of recognition and respect given to returning players who had proven themselves abroad.

Haruna also revisited Nigeria’s troubled campaign at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where the Super Eagles crashed out in the group stage after failing to win a single match.

He revealed that the problems went far beyond tactics under then-coach Lars Lagerbäck, pointing to deep divisions, indiscipline, and even claims of “spiritual battles” within the squad.

“At the 2010 World Cup, it wasn’t just about football. There were serious issues. Some players fought physically, others spiritually. We didn’t play as a team. Everyone wanted to shine individually,”he disclosed.

He continued, “We attacked each other spiritually. It was so bad that you could feel the disconnection on the pitch. That’s why we failed.”

Nigeria managed only a draw against South Korea while losing to Argentina and Greece, finishing bottom of Group B.