Afrobeat sensation Seun Kuti has voiced his disappointment over the perceived lack of commitment from Super Eagles players during national duty.
Following Nigeria’s underwhelming 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Kuti took to Instagram to express his concerns.
Kuti dismissed players’ claims of underperformance due to financial motivation, asserting that many are already financially stable and not dependent on payments from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
“Nigerian footballers are not patriotic. They are more interested in their oyibo clubs and the glams. They might say it’s because the national football body doesn’t treat them well, but it’s our duty to do well for Africa because it is ours,” Kuti stated.
He emphasized the disparity in focus, pointing out the contrasting dedication exhibited by European teams in major competitions.
Kuti urged Nigerian footballers to display the same level of seriousness during international events as they do at their respective clubs.
“I watched Super Eagles last game. Do you guys watch the Euros and World Cup? Don’t you see how European teams enter fields? Don’t you see how focused their players are? Even Nigerian footballers, when they are at their clubs, they are always focused. But when they come to the Nations’ Cup, they are unserious. African footballers are the craziest of athletes. I’m sorry to say this.”
