Football

The recent trend of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) media unit announcing squad selections only two days before the opening of camp is becoming increasingly familiar. What was once considered an irregularity is now being viewed as the new norm in Nigerian football, prompting concerns about its long-term implications for the management of the sport and its overall performance. Interestingly, local media reports indicate that the players selected for the upcoming matches have already received itineraries for their arrival at the camp. This information has not reached the broader Nigerian football community, where there is a prevailing belief that the NFF should adopt practices similar to other teams globally, who released their squad lists last week and provided opportunities for press conferences to discuss player selections and omissions.

For players, the ramifications of delayed squad announcements extend beyond mere inconvenience. Many Super Eagles stars compete in Europe, where they follow rigorous training regimens. Early notification of their inclusion in the national team enables them to prepare both mentally and physically for the shift from club responsibilities to international duties. When announcements come at the last minute, players are left racing against time to arrange travel and adjust to new expectations under a different manager or tactical approach. Moreover, these last-minute announcements can strain relationships between players and their clubs, as many European teams are already reluctant to release players for international duty, especially given the long-distance travel involved.