Nigeria’s long-held narrative of greatness, built on post-civil war propaganda, has fostered a culture of exaggeration that continues to shape national self-perception. This myth is particularly evident during football crises, where a refusal to accept the current reality of the country’s sporting status leads to misplaced outrage. The nation’s reliance on inflated fantasies of superiority, despite struggles in fundamental areas like infrastructure and governance, is reflected on the football pitch, masking years of institutional neglect. Instead of confronting the predictable consequences of neglecting youth development and sports administration, many cling to the idea that talent alone will suffice, substituting emotional loyalty for sober assessment and patriotism for scrutiny. The upcoming AFCON in Morocco exemplifies this, with expectations of success unmoored from current capacity, relying instead on an outdated narrative of inevitability. The current Nigerian squad, largely composed of players from less prominent leagues and the Saudi Arabian league, contrasts sharply with a decade ago when Nigerians played for top European clubs, indicating a weaker talent pipeline and diminished global competitiveness. The success of diaspora and heritage players, while celebrated, highlights the flourishing ecosystems outside Nigeria that their home country has failed to replicate. Nigeria’s struggles stem from being trapped in a myth that hinders honest self-reflection, rather than a fear of its rise. The true challenge lies in abandoning the illusion of inherited greatness for the hard work of building institutions that foster genuine achievement.
