Former Nigeria international Bright Omokaro has pointed out the one problem causing the Super Eagles to deliver consistently poor performances, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Super Eagles have struggled to record positive results in recent engagements and have been drawing criticisms from various quarters.
The former continental champions did well to shock bookmakers by reaching the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d'Ivoire early in the year.
However, the Super Eagles stumbled to two disappointing results against South Africa and the Benin Republic in June.
After forcing a lame draw with the Bafana Bafana in Uyo, the Super Eagles then crashed to a disappointing 2-1 defeat to the Cheetahs in Abidjan.
These two poor results have condemned Nigeria to fifth place behind Rwanda, Benin Republic, South Africa, and Lesotho in the race to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria, it would be recalled, did not make it to the last edition of the Mundial after falling at the final hurdle to Ghana.
And in a chat on Brila FM, AFCON 1988 silver medal winner Omokaro identifies the lack of seriousness among the Super Eagles players as the major problem of the team.
“There is no seriousness in this present team,” Omokaro said.
“You can singlehandedly pick out the ones that want to win. In those days, everybody wanted to win; you would see that seriousness in the team. But now, they even invite players you’ve never heard of to the national team. It is pathetic.”
Since making their maiden appearance at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Nigeria have never failed to qualify for consecutive editions of the tournament.
Omokaro believes there remains a slim chance for Nigeria to overtime the four teams ahead of them in Group C and secure an automatic qualification for the Mundial.
However, the former Osun United FC coach insists only improved seriousness and hard work can get the Super Eagles to the World Cup
“It’s a slim chance (qualifying for the 2026 World Cup), but football is unpredictable. Victory requires a lot of sacrifice. If you don’t work hard, it will not work out well.
“It depends on those who are invited to play and their mindset. If they are determined to give their all, there is no match they cannot win.”
There also has to be seriousness on the part of the administrators of football in the country as the Super Eagles remain without a coach since the exit of Finidi George.
While the Nigeria Football Federation insists that a foreign coach will be engaged to take charge of the national team, an appointment is yet to be made.
Nigeria's next game is on the 1st of September when the Super Eagles take on Benin in an AFCON 2025 qualifier.
