Dr Emmanuel Edem Ikpeme, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) deputy-general secretary, and a renowned sports psychologist has offered a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the Super Eagles dressing room, while identifying poor administration, political interference and the neglect of sports science as the biggest obstacles to Nigeria’s quest for sustained global sporting success.
Ahead of the public presentation of his new book, in an interview at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on 18 June, Ikpeme reflected on his experiences working with Nigeria Super Eagle and outlined a comprehensive blueprint for transforming the country’s sports sector.
The Super Eagles team had a run at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations where they got a silver medal and then a bronze medal in 2026. Ikpeme was part of the team behind the scenes. He said that dealing with pressure and what people expect from the team is a big problem.
Ikpeme said the team had to be careful to protect the players from what the fans and the media said about them. The Nigerian Football Federation have to make a plan to help the players focus and control their emotions.
He said the players were told to ignore whatever people said about them and just think about the game and what they had to do. The team was told to break the game into parts so they did not get too stressed about the big tournament. The Super Eagles team had to work to stay focused, on the game and not worry about what other people thought.
“We introduced deep-breathing techniques, visualisation exercises and positive self-talk strategies to help players remain calm and mentally prepared during high-pressure situations,” he said. “Footballers today face enormous demands. Many arrive from Europe carrying the pressures of club football and must immediately adapt to representing a nation of more than 200 million people.”
He talked about the “save the nation syndrome”, in which top players feel like they have to carry the hopes of a country on their shoulders, often at the expense of collective team performance.
The respected sports administrator also noted that how the team is managed is very important for winning. He used his experience as Deputy General Secretary of the NFF to explain. He said that poor logistics, uncertainty over player welfare and unresolved financial issues can severely affect team morale.
“The Players cannot perform at their best if accommodation, travel arrangements or bonuses are in doubt,” he said. “Administrative stability creates the psychological safety athletes need to excel.”
Ikpeme Reveals Mental Battles, Blueprint For Super Eagle Sporting Success
