Former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has revealed where the downfall of Nigerian football began, and mentioned how it can be rectified, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 52-year-old is a global football icon, popularly known for his mesmerising show of football skills during his playing days with PSG, Bolton, Eintracht Frankfurt and Fenerbahce.
The attacking midfielder was a part of the Golden generation of the Super Eagles that won the AFCON in 1994 and then the Olympic gold two years later in Atlanta.
However, the current state of Nigerian football, especially the Super Eagles’ struggle to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is a concern for the ex-Hull City man.
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Where the Super Eagles’ downfall started
Just like now, Nigeria struggled to qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but for the resilience of the then captain, Sunday Oliseh, who was later omitted from the final squad that made it to Japan/Korea in the same year.
Okocha was the team captain during the tournament, but Nigeria were woeful, as they were knocked out in the group stage without a win.
Oliseh admitted the National team broke that year, and Okocha has now echoed the same thoughts, connoting that the failures of this current team are a ripple effect of old times, Deja Vu.
“Well, I think it’s a lack of consistency. In my opinion, Nigerian football started declining after the 2002 African Nations Cup,” the former Frankfurt attacking midfielder said on the Exchange with Femi Soneye.
“The team was disbanded, and then some of us were recalled, but I think the squad that we went to the World Cup with in 2002 was maybe the weakest that I played with.
“In the previous World Cups, we made it out of our groups, maybe we topped the group, but in 2002, we didn’t even come out of our group.
“So, that transition didn’t happen as it normally would.
“Before then, we had players who would have been in the national team for years, and then they’d retire and others took over from them.
“But the transition didn’t happen because of the separation, and then about 70% of the team left.
“So, I think from then onwards, we’ve had great players who have won tournaments, but that consistency is lacking.
“We don’t win games with conviction anymore.
“It happens now and then, but then, at least in our home, back then, there were no questions; no matter who you were, it was a matter of how many.
“So, we made our home our fortress, but now, it’s like we’re weaker at home.
“We’ve lost that fear factor. Nations used to be scared to play against Nigeria. Now, people want to play against us.
Quizzed about the possibility of a solution to resolve the situation quickly, the legendary midfielder mentioned there’s no quick fix.
“Putting a proper structure in place and then making sure it works,” Okocha continued.
“We always believe in a quick fix, but in football, there’s no quick fix. That’s why it’s a team game, and you need time to build a team.
“Nigeria can never lack talent because of our population; we’ll always produce good players because of our population
“We have a good squad now, but why are we not consistent? Why are we not winning back-to-back games?
“I don’t think it’s just the players. It might be other things off the pitch, because you have to prepare before you get on to the pitch.
Okocha weighs in on Nigeria’s World Cup chances
Ahead of Nigeria’s play-off against Gabon, the one-time AFCON winner has thrown his support behind Eric Chelle’s men, urging them to come out on top in Morocco.
“I am the worst person to ask this question because I can never say anything against the national team, because I’m a big fan.
“Once there is a glimmer of hope, of course I will believe, and that is the beauty of football.
“Sometimes you have to do it the hard way. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
“I still trust this team; I still believe it’s possible. We put ourselves in this situation, and we are the only ones who can bring ourselves out of it.”
“The thing is, the players feel it the most. It’s their job; they don’t have any other job at the moment, so of course they would all love to play in the World Cup.
“They also know how disappointed our fans would be if they don’t make it.”
“From their last outing, you could see the desire to correct their mistakes. They have given us hope,” the 52-year-old concluded.
Ademola Lookman, Semi Ajayi, Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze have all arrived in Rabat ahead of Nigeria’s showdown against Gabon.