Former Super Eagles B head coach Salisu Yusuf believes Nigeria’s disappointing African Nations Championship campaign is down to poor organisation and preparation rather than a lack of quality players, Footynaija.com reports.
The home-based Super Eagles, led by senior national team boss Eric Chelle have crashed out of the ongoing tournament, after recording consecutive defeats in their opening group stage matches in Tanzania.
A narrow 1-0 defeat to defending champions Senegal was followed by a shockingly poor performance that saw the Nike Crocodiles of Sudan subject the Super Eagles to a humiliating 4-0 defeat.
Rather than blame the Nigerian players though, Yusuf, who led the home-based Eagles to a second place finish in the 2018 edition of CHAN that was hosted by Morocco, chose to point fingers at those in charge.
“A team is as good as its organisation. Was the team well set up or organised? These are the questions that should be asked and answered,” the 63-year-old coach told Complete Sports.
Yusuf also came to the defense of the Nigeria Professional Football League, insisting that home-based Eagles’ poor display at the African Nations Championship, cannot be used to judge the quality of the Nigerian top flight.
“The Eagles’ performance in the CHAN in Tanzania shouldn’t be seen as a reflection of the quality of the NPFL,” he said.
“The NPFL is a top league, one of the best in Africa. That the Super Eagles didn’t do well in the CHAN tournament should not be used to rubbish the Nigeria Premier Football League.”
With their group stage exit already confirmed, Nigeria will be playing solely for pride when they face Congo on Tuesday, August 19 in their last group game of the tournament.