A former prominent member of the NFF Executive Committee and legal practitioner, Barrister Christopher Green, has sharply criticized the state of Nigerian football following the early exits of Kwara United and Abia Warriors from the CAF Confederation Cup.

 

In a strongly worded statement on a platform , Barrister Green expressed his deep disappointment, calling the first-round elimination of both clubs “unfortunate and regrettable,” especially given the Confederation Cup’s status as the second-tier club competition in African football.

 

“This actually tells the state of our football development,” Green stated. “Isn’t this not a reason why no domestic league player has made the starting eleven of the Super Eagles unlike other countries? Have we truly given it a thought?”

 

He questioned the competence of sports administrators in the country and their apparent lack of strategic planning to grow the domestic game. According to Green, the failure reflects systemic issues within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the broader sports management landscape.

 

“I thought this time around, with our position on CAF club football lying precariously threatened, the administrators would have taken this season’s edition quite seriously,” he said. “I warned severally before the commencement of the season why the NFF must concentrate and do everything possible to ensure Rivers United get to the quarterfinal stage of a very difficult league.”

 

Green revealed that apart from NFF official Davidson Owumi—who was invited by Rivers United—no other top administrator was present at the crucial home game held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

 

He explained why Rivers United remains vital to Nigeria’s continental football hopes. “It is the only club that has the highest point coefficient in the country. Should they drop points and the chasing pack gain, then the country is doomed,” he warned.

 

The barrister also pointed to underwhelming results from other Nigerian representatives. Djoliba of Mali secured a draw in Nigeria and finished the job in the return leg, while Ghana’s Ashanti Kotoko pulled off a double against Kwara United. Meanwhile, Remo Stars only managed to advance after facing a lower-ranked team from Comoros, playing both legs on Nigerian soil.

 

Green concluded with a blunt assessment: “Let us tell ourselves the truth — this thing is not working.”

 

His remarks underscore the growing frustration among stakeholders and fans over Nigeria’s dwindling influence in continental club football, sparking renewed calls for accountability and reform within the country’s football administration.