Ex international, Jonathan Akpoborie has revealed that the country’s football requires total rejigging if the various national teams must have a successful impact in 2017.
Football in the outgoing year had a contrasting success after the Flying Eagles and Golden Eaglets failed to qualify for next year’s African championship while the Super Eagles who couldn’t qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, are having a decent run in their quest to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after beating Zambia and Algeria to remain top of group B. The same thing can be said of the Super Falcons who clinched the 2016 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Cameroon for the tenth time.
However, the former Wolfsburg striker, who has always advised the Nigeria Football Federation and the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung on the need for proper development and administrative free flow of responsibilities, told Soccernet.com.ng that Nigeria football needs total rejigging ahead of 2017.
“It’s sad that Nigeria football still remains at this very level, of which I believe we should have exceeded above it. Imagine the fact that our Flying Eagles, Golden Eaglets and Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2017 CAF tournaments, when I know that we have quality players at our disposal. It was only the Super Falcons and Nigeria’s U-23 team that made the country proud in 2016,” Akpoborie told Soccernet.com.ng
“The basic problems was just poor planning from the part of our administrators (Nigeria Football Federation) because ordinarily if we are organised, nothing stops Nigeria from qualifying for those tournaments. In all, 2016 gives us the opportunity to correct our wrongs and prepared ahead of the year. Mind you, the Super Eagles will continue their quest of qualifying for the World Cup, where they are top of the group and it will be disastrous if the Nigeria Football Federation fail to keep certain things right.
“However, methinks Nigeria football needs total surgery if we must maintain our status as the giant force of Africa football. Certain people in the NFF don’t really have any responsibility and should be made to leave so that our football can enjoy maximum success.” he said.