They always waste time - Former Super Eagles star criticises NFF over delayed squad list for World Cup playoffs

Former Super Eagles striker Jonathan Akpoborie has condemned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for its delay in releasing the squad list for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, warning that the federation's "typical" tardiness could jeopardise the team's chances.

Akpoborie is a member of the Golden Eaglets squad that won the 1985 U-16 World Cup. He went on to have a distinguished club career in Germany with teams such as Stuttgart and Wolfsburg.

He earned caps for the senior national team, scoring four goals and winning medals at the 1992 and 2000 Africa Cup of Nations.

The ex-international believes the failure to announce the team with adequate time is a sign of disorganisation.

Akpoborie voiced his frustration over what he sees as a persistent problem of poor preparation within Nigerian football administration.

"It is typical, typical of Nigeria. They always waste time," Akpoborie stated in an interview on Brila FM.

He added, "By now, there should have been an official announcement. What is the NFF waiting for? This delay can be dangerous."

He argued that this pattern of last-minute planning and chaotic player call-ups has consistently undermined the nation's football progress over the years.

"Maybe two or three days before the game, you’ll see everyone scrambling to bring in players. This attitude has affected us and kept us where we are today. Delay is dangerous, that’s the most important thing," he continued.

The Super Eagles are preparing to participate in a playoff tournament in Rabat, Morocco, alongside Gabon, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Their campaign will kick off with a semi-final match against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex.