Former Golden Eaglets captain and coach, Nduka Ugbade, has raised concerns over the steady decline in the quality of youth football in Nigeria,
The coach emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive development structures to restore the nation’s former glory in the sport.
In a chat with Sports247 in Lagos on Thursday, Ugbade opined that the quality of youth football in Nigeria has significantly dropped over the years due to a lack of proper football development systems.
“When we talk about football development, I mean specifically youth development the development of the game itself from the grassroots level,” he told Sports247.
While FIFA continues to enhance the game globally through administrative initiatives—such as increasing the number of participating teams in youth tournaments—Ugbade stresses that Nigeria must take responsibility for developing the players who will actually play the game.
“For instance, FIFA is expanding tournament slots; where four teams used to qualify for the U-17 World Cup, now 10 teams will go. That’s how FIFA is developing the game. But we need to develop our players to match that progress,” he said.
Ugbade also pointed to the critical role of grassroots coaches in youth development, emphasizing the need for proper training to keep up with the scientific evolution of modern football.
“Football has become scientific. Talent is no longer enough. Talent must be nurtured and developed to become useful,” he stated.
“Coaches at the grassroots must be equipped with the knowledge to teach the science of football—this includes physical conditioning, tactical awareness, and mental preparation.”
He further highlighted the importance of combining scientific methods with early and thorough preparation.
“You can screen 1,200 to 1,500 players over three or four weeks and give everyone a chance. But without starting early, preparation becomes rushed and the outcome short-lived,” he warned.
“Today, football is no longer about formation alone—it’s about information.*
” The amount of information and physical preparation young players receive determines their performance at the highest level.”
Ugbade advice the current Flying Eagles seeking glory in Egypt at the CAF U20 AFCON , “
” They have to sharpen all your weapons technical, tactical, physical, and psychological to perform very, very well.”he concluded.
Ugbade’s insights highlight a pressing need for structural investment in grassroots football, if Nigeria is to reclaim its status as a global powerhouse in youth football.
