By Destiny Jemiriayegbe
Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has expressed disappointment over the quality of football displayed during the 2026 President/Federation Cup final, calling for urgent improvements in the standard of Nigeria’s domestic game.
Speaking to sports journalists after the final between Ikorodu FC and El-Kanemi Warriors in Asaba, Delta State, Shaibu said the match failed to reflect the level of competitiveness and technical excellence historically associated with Nigeria’s prestigious Federation Cup.
While commending the organisers for providing a conducive environment for the competition, Shaibu noted that the quality of play on the pitch did not meet expectations.
“I must confess that the quality of football I watched today between Ikorodu FC and El-Kanemi Warriors lacked the Nigerian quality of football we demand. It was a zero-quality game, to say the least,” he said.
The former Edo State Deputy Governor acknowledged the talent within both teams but observed that the players struggled with consistency, tactical organisation and teamwork throughout the encounter.
According to him, the Federation Cup has always been renowned for producing exciting and competitive football, making this year’s final particularly disappointing.
“The inconsistencies are not what Nigerian football wants now. We know how competitive the FA Cup is in Nigeria. The pitch was beautiful, the organisation was commendable, but both teams lacked consistency. There was no quality, no depth and not even two minutes of coordinated passing from either side,” Shaibu stated.
He further questioned the readiness of some home-based players to compete for places in the national team, saying the performances witnessed in the final did not inspire confidence in their ability to compete at the highest international level.
“I could barely point out a standout player among them. Looking at those on the touchline managing the teams and their reactions, I concluded they appeared comfortable with the unorganised style of play,” he remarked.
Shaibu urged players, coaches and other stakeholders in the domestic league to raise their standards through improved technical development, discipline and tactical awareness if Nigerian football is to regain its enviable status on the continent.
He stressed that home-based players must consistently demonstrate exceptional quality if they hope to earn opportunities ahead of their foreign-based counterparts in the national team.
“I don’t see any opportunity from this type of local player representing the Nigerian football system of our dream. They need to wake up if they must be picked ahead of our foreign players,” he concluded.
The NIS Director General reiterated the need for continuous investment in grassroots football, coaching development and player education to enhance the quality of the domestic league and produce players capable of excelling on the global stage.