Former Nigeria international Paul Okoku has described the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup as a painful setback but insists it should serve as a turning point for rebuilding Nigerian football.
Speaking in an exclusive chat with Sports Center, Okoku said Nigeria has the talent, football culture and population to compete among the world’s elite, but stressed that the country’s football administrators must use the disappointment as motivation to strengthen the game’s foundations.
“Nigeria belongs at the FIFA World Cup. We have the talent, the football culture and the population to compete with the best in the world,” Okoku told Sports Center.
“Missing one World Cup is painful, but it should become the catalyst for building a stronger future. We must honestly examine what went wrong, strengthen our football structures, invest in grassroots development, improve our domestic league, embrace technology and artificial intelligence, and ensure continuity in our national teams.”
The former international, who represented Nigeria at the 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship in Mexico, said consistent planning and long-term investment remain critical if the Super Eagles are to return to the global stage and challenge for honours.
Reflecting on his playing days, Okoku urged the current generation of players to embrace the values that defined his era, including patriotism, discipline, teamwork and healthy competition.
“I would love to see more of the hunger, patriotism, resilience and sense of collective responsibility that defined our generation. Representing Nigeria was a privilege, not an entitlement,” he said.
He also advocated for stronger links between the Super Eagles and the Nigeria Premier Football League, noting that many players from his generation earned national team call-ups through the domestic league.
“We should continue to identify, develop and give opportunities to outstanding home-based players alongside those excelling abroad,” he added.
Despite Nigeria’s recent struggles, Okoku expressed optimism about the future, describing the current crop of players as talented and capable of restoring the country’s football fortunes if they combine modern football knowledge with humility, discipline and unity.
The former winger also reflected on how the FIFA World Cup has evolved over the decades, pointing to advances in sports science, technology and match officiating.
“Today’s game is much more physical than during our time, and players must adapt to the way matches are officiated,” he explained. “The hydration break is another major difference. It can help players recover, but it can also affect a team’s rhythm depending on the situation.”
Beyond football, Okoku said the lessons he learned from the World Cup have shaped his life as a leader, mentor and parent.
“Preparation gives you confidence, teamwork brings success and humility keeps you grounded. Those are lessons that have guided me throughout my life,” he said.
Okoku also paid tribute to the late former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde, describing him as one of Nigeria’s greatest football minds.
According to him, Onigbinde’s attention to detail, courage to trust young players and commitment to developing complete individuals left a lasting impact on generations of Nigerian footballers.
“Coach Onigbinde built footballers, but more importantly, he built men. His greatest legacy is not just the matches he won but the lives he transformed,” Okoku told Sports Center.
He recalled how the late coach willingly joined one of his humanitarian projects in Delta State and continued mentoring former players long after their retirement from football.
Okoku also remembered his late teammate Henry Nwosu, who helped reconnect him with Onigbinde during the project, describing both men as selfless leaders whose contributions to Nigerian football will never be forgotten.
As Nigeria continues its rebuilding process following its World Cup qualification disappointment, Okoku believes the country’s future remains bright, provided stakeholders prioritise grassroots development, continuity and character alongside talent.
“We have tremendous talent. If we combine modern football knowledge with discipline, patriotism and unity, Nigerian football has a very bright future,” he said