A bleak statistical forecast published Monday warns that up to 70 percent of Nigeria’s current Super Eagles squad could hang up their boots without ever featuring at a FIFA World Cup, as the three-time African champions face the prospect of a third consecutive absence following Sunday’s crushing playoff exit to DR Congo.
The analysis, compiled by football data outfit CIES Football Observatory and cited by local media, highlights the ageing profile of key players: Victor Osimhen (26), William Troost-Ekong (32), Wilfred Ndidi (28), Alex Iwobi (29), and captain Ahmed Musa (33) dominate the squad, with several already in their late twenties or early thirties and the next realistic qualification window not opening until 2030.
“Given the current age structure and Nigeria’s failure to qualify for 2026, approximately 70 percent of the present squad will either be past their peak or retired by the time the next cycle concludes,” the report stated, projecting that only younger prospects like Samuel Chukwueze (26), Victor Boniface (24) and a handful of U-23 talents stand a realistic chance of tasting the global stage.
Former international Mutiu Adepoju voiced alarm, telling journalists: “It’s painful to think that players of this calibre may never play at a World Cup. Osimhen, Ndidi, Iwobi — this is supposed to be our golden generation, yet the system keeps failing them.”
Sunday’s penalty shootout heartbreak in Rabat marked Nigeria’s earliest elimination since 2006, extending a dismal run that began with the 2018 group-stage exit and continued with outright failure to reach Qatar 2022.
Football Federation technical director Augustine Eguavoen admitted the long-term damage, saying: “We have to accept the reality — many of these boys gave everything, but time waits for no one. The rebuild must start immediately.”
The stark prognosis has reignited calls for sweeping reforms in Nigerian football, from grassroots development to coaching stability, as the nation confronts the possibility of an entire generation of stars departing the scene without ever gracing the world’s biggest stage.
