Since returning from the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, the Home-Based Super Eagles have come under intense criticism for their poor showing. Nigeria won just one match and lost two—most notably a humiliating 4–0 defeat to Sudan that ensured an early group-stage exit. For a nation with Nigeria’s football pedigree, it was a bitter pill to swallow.

The team’s dismal outing stunned many Nigerians, who questioned how their domestic-based players could perform so poorly against fellow African opposition. While some pointed to the low competitiveness of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL)—alleging that titles often go to the highest bidders—others criticized the selection process. Particularly controversial was the overwhelming presence of Remo Stars players in the squad, including seven in the starting lineup of the first two matches. Critics argued that this was evidence of favoritism, as the club hosted the team’s pre-tournament camp. Out of over 700 NPFL players, only one club dominating the roster raised serious concerns about transparency and meritocracy.

Beyond the embarrassment of the result, the tournament should serve as a wake-up call. CHAN was supposed to offer a platform to test and integrate homegrown talent into the national team pipeline, especially ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifiers. But the performance left even the most vocal advocates of local player inclusion silenced, if not disillusioned.

Nigeria’s CHAN journey since the tournament’s inception in 2009 has been marked by inconsistency. The championship, introduced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was designed to strengthen domestic leagues and spotlight local talent by featuring only players active in their national competitions.

Nigeria missed the inaugural edition in Côte d’Ivoire due to a lack of preparedness. When the country finally debuted in 2011 under Coach Samson Siasia, they exited at the group stage with just one win—an early indication of the challenges in transitioning NPFL players to the international stage.

The 2014 edition in South Africa, however, offered a glimmer of hope. Led by the late Stephen Keshi, the team reached the semi-finals and finished third. Their legendary comeback against Morocco—overturning a 3–0 deficit to win 4–3—remains one of the greatest moments in CHAN history. Players like Ejike Uzoenyi and Rabiu Ali shone brightly, with Uzoenyi emerging as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. That run briefly elevated the reputation of Nigeria’s domestic league.

Yet, momentum stalled again. Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2016 tournament in Rwanda, a setback caused by the same issues that continue to plague the local game—administrative chaos, financial instability, and poor planning.

In 2018, Nigeria rebounded with their best-ever CHAN performance, finishing as runners-up to hosts Morocco. Coach Salisu Yusuf’s squad, including Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Stephen Eze, and Anthony Okpotu, impressed with their discipline and resilience. But the final exposed their limitations as they fell 4–0 to a more organized and physically dominant Moroccan side.

This promising campaign was followed by another slump. Nigeria failed to qualify for the next two tournaments—2020 in Cameroon and 2022 in Algeria—marking back-to-back absences that raised further alarm bells about the health of the NPFL and the structure of domestic football.

The root causes of Nigeria’s CHAN Inconsistencies are numerous among which are :
The NPFL has long suffered from irregular calendars, lack of television coverage, and subpar facilities, all of which hinder player growth and scouting.

Constant changes in coaching personnel—often politically influenced—have made long-term planning and team development nearly impossible.

Promising NPFL players are often snapped up by foreign clubs shortly after emerging, leaving national selectors scrambling to rebuild a squad every few months.

Poor coordination between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), league operators, and clubs has repeatedly led to disjointed preparations and underwhelming tournament outings.

If Nigeria is to restore credibility and success at CHAN, several steps are essential:
    •    Strengthen the NPFL: Revive the league with consistent scheduling, better infrastructure, improved player welfare, and broadcast exposure to raise the quality of play.
    •    Merit-Based Team Selection: Establish transparent, performance-driven criteria for player selection, avoiding club favoritism or political interference.
    •    Stable Coaching Appointments: Assign a dedicated coaching crew to the CHAN team with a clear mandate and time to build a cohesive unit.
    •    Regular International Friendlies: Provide the home-based team with competitive exposure through consistent camps and friendly matches against other African nations.

CHAN was envisioned as a tournament to uplift domestic leagues and showcase African talent. For Nigeria, it has instead highlighted the many structural flaws in the country’s football development. While there have been moments of brilliance—particularly in 2014 and 2018—the overall pattern has been one of missed opportunities.

The recent disaster in East Africa should not just be another footnote. It should force a reckoning. With better structures, transparent processes, and real investment in local football, Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles can return to continental prominence—not as an embarrassment, but as a source of national pride.

Until then, CHAN will remain less a celebration of homegrown excellence and more a painful reminder of potential unfulfilled.