Former Flying Eagles coach Paul Aigbogun has attributed the decline in the number of natural goal scorers in Nigeria and globally to deficiencies in grassroots football development. Aigbogun reflected on the challenges facing modern football, particularly in producing prolific strikers, and linked the issue to inadequate training during players’ formative years.
“Not only Nigerian players, but if you look at Africa or around the world, there is actually a lack of goal scorers compared to many years before,” Aigbogun stated. “If we look at Nigeria in particular, it is down to football development at a young age. When you don’t learn it as a young player, it becomes harder at an older age.”
Aigbogun’s remarks echo a growing concern among football stakeholders about the dwindling pool of clinical finishers. Historically, Nigeria has been a breeding ground for elite goal scorers, with legends like Rashidi Yekini, Segun Odegbami, and Emmanuel Amunike cementing their places in football folklore. However, in recent years, the country has struggled to produce strikers of similar pedigree consistently.
“The art of goal scoring is more than just physical ability; it is about positioning, awareness, and composure. These are skills that must be nurtured early,” Aigbogun explained. “If players are not exposed to structured coaching and regular competitive matches at a young age, they miss the critical window to develop these instincts.”
Aigbogun pointed to systemic issues in grassroots football development as a primary cause of the problem. Limited access to quality coaching, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of organized youth leagues are among the challenges impeding the nurturing of young talent in Nigeria.
“In the past, kids played football everywhere – on the streets, in schools, and at local tournaments. That informal system helped to develop natural goal scorers. Now, with urbanization and fewer grassroots opportunities, we are losing that spark,” Aigbogun noted.
The former Flying Eagles coach also highlighted that the problem is not unique to Nigeria or Africa. He argued that the global emphasis on team tactics and defensive organization has overshadowed the focus on developing individual attacking brilliance.
Aigbogun stressed the need for deliberate investment in grassroots football to address the issue. He called for collaborations between the government, football associations, and private stakeholders to create a sustainable framework for youth development.