Former Nigeria international Lukman Haruna has provided a candid look into the internal struggles that derailed the Super Eagles during their 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign in South Africa. Once a rising star at AS Monaco following his U17 World Cup success, Haruna revealed that the squad’s downfall was as psychological as tactical.
Haruna recalled that the team atmosphere was poisoned by in-fighting:
“Spiritually, we were attacking one another, and physically, we were fighting.”
He also cited a specific incident in London before even departing for South Africa when several players clashed aggressively at the airport. He pointed to selfish on field play teammates refused to pass, seeking personal glory instead. Though they played with star names like Nwankwo Kanu, Yakubu, and Obafemi Martins, the Eagles exited at the group stage with just one point.
Editorial
We cannot ignore Haruna’s words they pierce through the football to something deeper the human dimension that can make or break a team. Talent and tactics won’t suffice when the spirit is fractured. His reflections are not just about 2010 they are warnings.
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Every player who walked off that pitch in South Africa carried more than a flag. They carried relationships, resolve, shared purpose or the lack of it. When that unity is absent, defeats follow not from lack of skill but from lack of cohesion.
For today’s Super Eagles, and every team that follows, the lesson is clear: the greatest victories begin with integrity, trust, and shared sacrifice. As fans and custodians of Nigeria’s footballing spirit, we must demand nothing less.
Did You Know?
- Lukman Haruna was once touted as a successor to Jay-Jay Okocha after shone at Nigeria’s 2007 FIFA U17 World Cup win.
- Despite a strong pre-tournament run, featuring wins over Saudi Arabia, Colombia, and North Korea, internal strife exposed deeper vulnerabilities.
- The Super Eagles’ 2010 group-stage results included defeats to Argentina (1–0), Greece (2–1), and a draw with South Korea (2–2).
- Haruna remembered an altercation at a London airport prior to the tournament—an early sign of the tensions that followed.
- His reference to spiritual attacks underscores the cultural weight of internal discord where conflict transcends the pitch and enters personal belief.
