Babayaro Blames Poor NPFL Continental Performance on Decline in Passion, Coaching, and Management

Babayaro Blames Poor NPFL Continental Performance on Decline in Passion, Coaching, and Management

By Niyi Busari 

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper and Olympic gold medalist, Emmanuel Babayaro, has attributed the dwindling fortunes of Nigerian clubs in intercontinental competitions to a loss of passion, poor football management, and a lack of genuine talent development compared to the glory days of the 1980s and 1990s, BSN Sports.com.ng reports.

Speaking BSN Sports in an exclusive interview, the 1996 Olympic gold medalist reflected on the stark contrast between past and present performances of Nigerian clubs on the continental stage.

 “In the 1980s and 1990s, most African nations were far behind in football development and technical knowledge. Only a few countries, including Nigeria, were exposed to the modern game,” Babayaro said.

He noted that Nigerian players of that era were not only naturally gifted but also driven by an intense passion for the game and a hunger for glory. According to him, this combination of natural talent, motivated players, and technically sound coaches produced the success stories of Nigerian clubs during that period.

 “It was a case of good coaches meeting naturally great talents filled with passion,” he explained. “Today, football has become widespread, and while other nations were planning, building, and developing, Nigeria relied too heavily on the reputation of past greatness.”

Babayaro criticized what he described as a decline in technical intelligence among modern Nigerian coaches, claiming that many possess certificates without the emotional and psychological understanding of the game that true coaching requires.

He also lamented the evolution of players’ motivations, arguing that many contemporary footballers are “created stars rather than born stars” who now chase financial rewards over genuine passion for success. “In today’s football, the coach’s technical depth matters far more than in the past,” Babayaro noted.

Turning to football administration, the former goalkeeper drew a sharp contrast between the patriotic zeal of past club owners and administrators and the profit-driven approach of today’s management

 “In the past, football management might have been unequipped, but it had something lacking today — patriotic passion,” he said. “Late MKO Abiola once acted as a driver for his club just to ensure success. Chief Edema of Julius Berger spared no funds to recruit the best players, while Enyimba FC received top-level government support during their glory years.”

Babayaro expressed disappointment with the attitude of some modern club owners, recounting a recent instance where a billionaire owner publicly cited financial disparity as an excuse for his team’s poor showing against a South African club in the CAF Champions League.

 “His comments only revealed administrative weakness,” Babayaro said. “Knowing they were going to participate in Africa’s most lucrative club competition, the club still sold more than 15 of its best players, including experienced Super Eagles players. A billionaire whose companies sponsor the Nigerian league couldn’t support his own club’s CAF campaign? If that’s not administrative vulnerability, what is?”

Babayaro concluded by emphasizing that without passion-driven leadership, technically sound coaching, and genuine player development, Nigerian clubs will continue to struggle to reclaim their place among Africa’s football elite.