The Nigerian national team, once a symbol of African football pride, has been embroiled in a maelstrom of controversy and unrest in recent weeks.
The arrival of new coach Finidi George was met with a lukewarm reception, and the team's on-field performance has only added to the turmoil.
The writing was on the wall when Nigeria failed to secure a win against South Africa at home, followed by a shocking defeat to Benin in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The usually stoic Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has remained tight-lipped about the status of Finidi George's tenure, leaving fans and pundits alike speculating about the coach's future.
Off the pitch, the situation has been just as volatile. Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen sparked a social media firestorm when he publicly criticized his new coach, reigniting the debate about leadership within the team.
Former Nigerian international Brown Ideye weighed in on the issue, lamenting the lack of leaders like Joseph Yobo and Vincent Enyeama, who were instrumental in Nigeria's past successes.
Ideye's remarks sparked a fresh round of controversy, with some calling for Osimhen to be held accountable for his actions. Now, Ideye is taking aim at another player, this time targeting William Troost-Ekong, who captained the team to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final.
Ideye believes that Troost-Ekong is not equipped to lead the current crop of players, citing his performance at the tournament as evidence. Ideye tells Complete Sport.
As the drama continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Nigeria will navigate this perfect storm of crisis.
Can Finidi George steady the ship and restore some semblance of order? Or will the ongoing infighting and lack of leadership threaten to derail the team's prospects altogether?
One thing is certain: Nigeria's national team needs a swift resolution to these issues if they are to regain their status as one of Africa's top teams.