Seyi Olofinjana recently opened up about his “difficult” exclusion from the 2010 World Cup squad, and the story still haunts many of us who cheered the Eagles’ historic qualifying run.
He was a linchpin in the midfield during the qualifiers, playing 13 matches, scoring 2 goals, and helping us beat Sudan, Kenya and even a tough Ghana side. In the table below you can see his contribution:
| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 WC Qualifiers | 13 | 2 |
| Friendlies (2009) | 5 | 0 |
Yet when coach Shaibu Amodu announced the final 23, Olofinjana’s name was missing. He described the decision as “difficult” and “painful”, but the real question is: who decided and why?
Many fans suspect political interference – a coach who favours his own boys, regional bias, and even pressure from foreign agents looking to push their own players into the limelight. Remember how John Utaka was dropped despite being in form? Or how the diaspora‑based players get a free pass while home‑grown talent like Olofinjana gets sidelined?
This is not a one‑off case. The Super Eagles selection committee has long operated in secrecy, with no clear criteria published. The result? A team that often looks more like a political showcase than the best representation of Nigerian football.
So what can we, the fans, do? First, demand transparent selection policies from the Nigeria Football Federation. Second, support our local leagues – the Nigerian Professional Football League is producing talent daily, but they are starved of resources while foreign clubs swoop in. Third, hold coaches accountable: if they cannot justify their choices, they should step down.
E be like say una don carry una destiny throway for gutter, but we still get to speak truth. Olofinjana’s story should be a wake‑up call, not a footnote. Let’s push for a system where merit, not politics, decides who wears the green jersey.