No Be By Mouth: The Journey to True Greatness— From Big Man Dreams to Fixing Our Football

 

No Be By Mouth: The Journey to True Greatness—From Big Man Dreams to Fixing Our Football

The “Big Man” Mindset: A Reality Check

If you're in the middle or lower class, don’t let anyone call you a "big man"—and certainly don’t act like one. Wearing that tag prematurely will only make you a target for freeloaders who contribute nothing to your growth.

Aspiring to be a big man is a noble goal, but true greatness must have a philanthropic purpose. It’s that purpose that will sustain you when challenges come knocking—because in the world of the big men, challenges aren’t just big, they are relentless.

Every class has its struggles. The lower and middle classes face challenges that often pull them down, preventing upward movement. These very challenges, however, must be conquered to truly become a big man. Once you break through, bigger opportunities, bigger realities, and bigger rewards will follow.

In the world of big men, success isn’t just about wealth—it’s about fulfilling a purpose.

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Can Nigeria Return to Football Glory?

For football fans whose clubs or national teams haven’t lifted a trophy in years, history becomes a source of comfort. They cling to past victories, using nostalgia as a coping mechanism until the next big win.

Nigeria’s golden generation of footballers captured the imagination of the world, and while many of us didn’t witness their brilliance live, social media platforms like YouTube allow us to relive those moments. However, I was fortunate to watch the Super Eagles claim the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) under the leadership of Stephen Keshi—a member of that legendary generation.

Since that triumph, Nigeria has had mixed fortunes. The Super Eagles failed to qualify for AFCON in 2015 and 2017, managed third place in 2019, and crashed out in the Round of 16 in 2021. On the World Cup stage, we did not make it past the group stage in 2018 and failed to qualify for the 2022 tournament.

This begs the question: what did Stephen Keshi get right?

The Stephen Keshi Blueprint: Can It Be Replicated?

Keshi’s success proved one key point: a Nigerian coach can get the best out of Nigerian players. He wasn’t just a tactician—he was a motivator who understood the Nigerian footballer’s mindset.

Gernot Rohr, despite his efforts, fell short of delivering an AFCON title, reinforcing the belief that local expertise might be crucial for success. To his credit, Rohr helped Nigeria qualify for the 2018 World Cup and secured a third-place finish in AFCON 2019, but his tenure exposed gaps in tactical flexibility and squad depth.

We've seen several coaches—many linked to the golden generation—come and go, yet none have quite replicated Keshi’s magic. What’s the missing ingredient?

Lately, it feels like we’re just kicking balls toward goal, hoping luck is on our side, rather than executing a clear tactical strategy. Even our confidence often depends on rival teams' misfortunes rather than our own strength.

A Hypothetical Gamble: What If We Bet on a Top Coach?

Imagine this scenario: José Mourinho, a serial winner, takes charge of the Super Eagles. His wages are high, no doubt, but what if Nigeria’s football authorities placed a bet that he would not only deliver AFCON but also take us deep into the World Cup?

If we met his asking price and backed him properly, wouldn’t the investment pay for itself through victories and tournament progress? It’s a low-risk wager—at least on paper.

But here’s the challenge: our system.

Football isn’t just about hiring a world-class coach; it’s about the structure that supports him. If the environment isn’t conducive, even the best coaches will struggle. And that’s why we often settle for those who can merely survive within the system rather than thrive.

The Winning Formula: Beyond Just Talent

To truly compete at the highest level, we need more than just skillful players. A winning formula requires:

Players with absolute commitment—those who want the title more than anything.

Tactical fluidity and high-level technical ability—every training session and match must be approached with an "A-game" mentality.

Seamless coordination between the football governing body, technical staff, and players—even the fans must align with the vision.

Zero internal distractions—if everyone focuses on their role, we’ll spend time developing winning strategies instead of resolving petty disagreements.

Winning the World Cup might seem like a tall order—after all, our developing football system is up against well-established powerhouses. Confidence isn’t built overnight, and there’s no lucky shortcut that transforms an average team into world champions. Even the football gods respect effort and consistency.

However, it is possible.

Vision 2050: The Road to Global Dominance

This is where Vision 2050 comes into play. The long-term plan is for Nigerian football to develop into a World Cup-winning powerhouse within the next 25 years.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has discussed various development plans, including Vision 2030 and a broader Vision 2050, aiming to improve Nigerian football at all levels—grassroots, domestic leagues, coaching, and international competitiveness. However, execution remains a major challenge.

Football development isn’t like ripening unripe plantains with chemicals—where the end result is never as good as a naturally ripened fruit. Our football must be allowed to grow organically, with proper nurturing at every stage.

If we get it right, 2050 won’t just be a hopeful projection—it will be a reality.