Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti has criticized the Super Eagles players for “not showing enough commitment” whenever they are on national duty.
He lamented the lack of seriousness and dedication shown by the African players, including Nigerian footballers, during international competitions, labeling them as the “least disciplined athletes.”
In response to Super Eagles’ underwhelming 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Kuti shared a video message on his Instagram page, where he dismissed the players’ excuses of underperformance due to financial motivation, pointing out that most of them are already wealthy and do not depend on payment from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
“Nigerian footballers are not patriotic. I don’t care what anybody says. They are more interested in their oyibo clubs and the glams. They are not patriotic.
“They might say it is because the national football body doesn’t treat them well. Africa doesn’t treat anyone well. But it’s our duty to do well for Africa because it is ours. So those excuses that they are being owed are irrelevant. You guys are multi-millionaires. How much is NFF going to pay you? Even if they pay you, you won’t take it home. It’s nothing to you.
“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.”
