WAFU B U-17 Championship: Golden Eaglets Defeat By Niger Height Of Nigeria’s Football Decline — Kalika

Simon Kalika, a Dutch-born football coach, has described Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets’ 2-1 defeat to Niger Republic at the ongoing 2026 WAFU B U-17 Championship in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, as a painful reflection of the country’s football decline, Completesports.com reports.

Speaking exclusively to Completesports.com from his native Holland on Friday morning, Kalika said it hurt to see Nigeria lose its former standing in world football.

In recent years, Nigeria have missed several major international tournaments, including the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups, the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games.

Also Read: WAFU B U-17 Championship: Golden Eaglets Ready For Côte d’Ivoire Challenge – Eboboritse

The Golden Eaglets now face the risk of missing the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which serves as the qualification route to the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Kalika Blames Administration For rhe Golen Eaglets/Nigeria’s Football Woes

Kalika expressed his disappointment following the Golden Eaglets’ defeat to Niger Republic, describing the result as another worrying sign of the problems confronting Nigerian football.

“Nigeria [Golden Eaglets] losing to Niger Republic is very sad news when it comes to football in the country,” Kalika said.

“For me, it is the height of football decline in the country, and it is not about the players but the administration.

“In my opinion, Nigeria is a world-class country when it comes to football. But it hurts that the nation is no longer what it used to be in world football.”

Former Siasia Assistant Calls For Technical Reforms

Kalika, who assisted Samson Siasia when Nigeria won silver medals at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands and the men’s football event at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, also highlighted what he believes has held Nigerian football back and proposed a way forward.

“The problem is that the administration of the game in Nigeria is not what it should be. The country has world-class players, but there is no technical infrastructure,” he said.

Also Read: WAFU B U-17 Championship: Golden Eaglets Lose 2-1 To Niger

“When I was with Siasia in the national team as a coach, we produced great players such as Obinna Nsofor, Brown Ideye and John Obi Mikel. Siasia lost only one game against Argentina in a friendly in Bangladesh.

“But that is no longer the situation. Nigeria are now losing games to Guinea-Bissau and Niger Republic. That is painful. The federation (NFF) must sit up.

“You must get some former players, such as Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu, and others, and let them sit down as a team to look at the best solution to the problem. Nigerian football will flow again,” Kalika conclud.

Golden Eaglets Face Must-Win Clash Against Côte d’Ivoire

The Golden Eaglets will face Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday, 17 October, at the Stade du 4 Août in Ouagadougou in their second and final Group B match at the 2026 WAFU B U-17 Championship.

The match is crucial to Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals, with the Golden Eaglets battling for the second qualification spot in the group.

Niger Republic have already secured the top spot after collecting four points from one win against Nigeria  and one draw versus Niger Republic.