Çaykur Rizespor midfielder Okechukwu Azubuike has revealed two major areas of improvement for the Super Eagles as the team bids to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria currently looked out of the race to be a part of the global showpiece scheduled to be co-hosted in the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico in another two years.
After failing to win any of their first four games, the Super Eagles sit in fifth place in their six-team qualifying group, boasting only three points. Rwanda, Benin Republic, and South Africa have seven points each and even Lesotho, with five points, fare better than Nigeria.
The Super Eagles had the chance to get their campaign back on track earlier this month after a false start in November but the former African champions failed to impress against South Africa and Benin.
The Bafana Bafana looked sharper and more organised than Nigeria as they picked up a 1-1 draw with Nigeria in Uyo on June 7.
Three days later, Benin showed more heart and better quality in the attacking third than the Super Eagles to record an excellent 2-1 win in Abidjan. It was the Cheetahs' first-ever triumph over the Nigerian senior national team.
What did Azubuike say?
Former Nigeria U-23 captain Azubuike confirmed he watched those two games and saw a Super Eagles team that was found wanting in two areas of the pitch.
The 27-year-old defensive midfielder noted that the Super Eagles did not keep the ball well and failed to run as much as their opponents.
Azubuike believes the three-time AFCON winners can turn their World Cup qualifying fortunes around if they correct these weaknesses.
“We are one of the best teams in Africa, but right now, names don’t play football. I think we need to run more,” Azubuike told Afrik-Foot.
“I saw the last two games; I think we need to run more as a team and play better football. For a very long time, we have not seen the Super Eagles play the type of football we are used to.
“If we can keep the ball more and run more than the opponent, then I believe we are going to scale through.
“Like I said, names do not play football anymore; there are no small teams, no underdogs. So hopefully, if we run better, we will make it out of the group and qualify for the World Cup.”
Azubuike, who did not play a game for Rizespor last season due to injury, has only one cap for the Super Eagles. He featured in an African Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt in 2016 as a second-half substitute.
