Remo Stars head coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, has offered a sobering perspective on Nigerian football’s global standing, warning that it could take between five to ten years for local clubs to become competitive at international tournaments such as the FIFA Club World Cup.
Ogunmodede made the remarks after leading Remo Stars to their maiden Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title, a historic feat for the Ikenne-based side. While celebrating the club’s success, he highlighted the need for broader reforms across the domestic football landscape.
“Winning the league is a step in the right direction, but we are still far behind the elite clubs,” Ogunmodede stated. “If we want to get to the level of the Club World Cup, it will take five to ten years of consistent planning and execution.”
He pinpointed several critical areas for development, including youth football structures, infrastructure, coaching standards, and administrative professionalism. “We need to go back to the drawing board. The gap in fitness, tactics, and match exposure is wide. It’s not impossible, but we must be deliberate,” he added.
With Remo Stars set to feature in the CAF Champions League next season, the club's progress has drawn widespread admiration. However, Ogunmodede emphasised that lasting change must go beyond individual club achievements.
“It’s not about one club. For Nigerian football to grow, all clubs must invest in structures that develop talent sustainably,” he said.
The coach also urged the League Management Company (LMC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to adopt long-term strategies that will modernise the league and improve its competitiveness.
“If we want to compete with the likes of Al Ahly, Wydad, or even clubs from Asia and South America, we must modernise,” he warned.
The FIFA Club World Cup expanded in 2025, but no Nigerian club qualified for the prestigious tournament. Ogunmodede’s remarks serve as both a celebration of Remo Stars' achievement and a rallying cry for systemic transformation in Nigerian football.
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