Super Eagles B Poor Performance At 2025 CHAN Not True Reflection Of NPFL Standard - NFF

Super Eagles B Poor Performance At 2025 CHAN Not True Reflection Of NPFL Standard - NFF

By Niyi Busari 

The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, has stated that the underwhelming performance of the Super Eagles B team at the recently concluded 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) does not accurately reflect the quality of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Speaking to BSN Sports during the NPFL Player and Coach of the Year Awards held Tuesday in Abuja, Sanusi attributed the team's poor showing to a significant loss of key players shortly before the tournament commenced.

Nigeria endured its worst-ever campaign at the CHAN, suffering a narrow 0–1 defeat to Senegal in the opening match and a heavy 0–4 loss to Sudan in the second group game—exiting the tournament without registering a point or goal.

“We cannot assess the standard of the NPFL solely based on the performance of the home-based Super Eagles at CHAN,” Sanusi said. “Many of the players who helped the team qualify left for overseas contracts before the tournament began. That had a direct impact on the team’s cohesion and performance.”

The NFF scribe emphasized the federation's inability to prevent players from pursuing international opportunities, noting that the mass exodus disrupted the technical setup and game plans.

“Unfortunately, we can't stop players from traveling abroad in search of greener pastures. It's a reality we must accept, even though it affects our preparations and results at tournaments like CHAN,” he added.

Despite the disappointment, Sanusi reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to improving the domestic league and strengthening the national team system.