Former Nigerian international footballer, Joseph Eyimofe, has attributed Nigeria’s struggle to successfully transition youth players into the senior national teams to poor record-keeping and inadequate player monitoring.
He stated this when he featured on a programme on The Eagle Online Nigeria YouTube channel: “Sports Update,” on Monday.
Eyimofe said while Nigeria often gets things right at the youth level, challenges emerge when it comes to tracking and developing players into established senior internationals.
The former Golden Eaglets player said: “In Nigeria, we don’t keep records.
“At the youth level we get it right, but to transition the players to senior level, we start having problems.
“We don’t monitor our players.”
According to Eyimofe, leading football nations maintain structured systems that enable them to closely follow the development of young talents and ensure continuity into their senior national teams.
“Look at the western world, there is no way we will not have like 70 percent of that (2001) U-17 team in their main team,” he said.
He noted that European countries consistently monitor their young players to ensure steady growth and strengthen their national teams over time.
He also expressed surprise that Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the quality available in the Super Eagles squad.
Eyimofe, however, expressed confidence that Nigerian football would eventually overcome its challenges.
“There is time for everything and I know that we will get it right,” he said.
A retired professional footballer, Eyimofe represented several clubs during his playing career, including Warri Wolves, Heartland FC, and NPA.
He also featured in the Ukrainian Premier Liga with FC Kharkiv.
At the international level, he played for Nigeria’s U-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets, and featured at the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship.
He was also a part of the Flying Eagles.
Since retiring from active football, Eyimofe has remained involved in football development and administration.
He currently serves as General Manager of P Sports Football Academy, Akwa Ibom State, where he oversees programmes aimed at developing grassroots talent and helping young players transition into the professional ranks.
