In an exclusive interview with JerseyNumber12, the ex-Flying Eagles defender lays bare the decay in Nigeria’s youth football and outlines bold revival
By Rasheed Adewuyi, New York
The newly elected Chairman of the Youths Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), Lagos State Chapter, Tajudeen Disu, has taken aim at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), blaming it for the collapse of grassroots football development in the country.
Speaking in an exclusive chat with www.jerseynumber12.com shortly after his emergence in Lagos on Wednesday, Disu didn’t hold back in criticizing Nigeria’s football leadership.
“The country’s football collapsed because there’s no solid grassroots football programs in any part of the nation where budding talents could be tapped by all the national teams coaches,” Disu said.
“Until we start to give the right people the chance to run football affairs in Nigeria, the standard of our football will continue to dwindle.”
Disu, a former Flying Eagles defender and grassroots advocate, lamented the neglect of youth football and the demise of structures like YSFON, which once served as a pipeline for national team stars.
Disu revealed that comprehensive plans are underway to *resuscitate YSFON at both state and national levels*, with renewed focus on discovering and nurturing talent. According to him, YSFON played a pivotal role in the success of Nigeria’s 1983 Flying Eagles, who qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup after winning the African Youth Championship.
“Former Super Eagles forward, Segun Odegbami, football-loving state governors and philanthropists are going to be our patrons,” he announced.
He also unveiled a list of ambassadors from the historic 1983 Flying Eagles squad, all of whom are products of the YSFON system.
“Paul Okoku, Dehinde Akinlotan, Samson Siasia, Bremner Alada, Femi and Segun Olukanni, Edema Benson, Michael Dominic and Chibuzor Ehilegbu have been selected as ambassadors,” Disu confirmed.
Disu believes that the involvement of seasoned ex-players and respected personalities will inject credibility and expertise into YSFON’s revival.
“The wealth of experience of the patrons and the selected ambassadors will go a long way in helping YSFON achieve its aims and objectives in the country,” he said.
Nigeria clinched major international youth titles, including the Gothia Cup in Sweden and the Dallas Cup in Texas, USA, during the 1980s and 1990s, when YSFON was highly active and well-supported.
Disu is determined to restore that golden era, emphasizing the need for proper structures and national support to revive Nigeria’s grassroots football identity.
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