Super Eagles players during their first training session ahead of the AFCON qualifier against Libya at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Former Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi reveal the major problem facing the national team; npflupdates.com reports.
The Super Eagles is without a substantive coach; but NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen acting on interim capacity has qualified the team for the 2025 AFCON.
Another herculean task facing the gaffer and his boys is securing the 2026 FIFA world cup ticket. Fans are however, worried with the performances of the three-time African champions especially in goal conversion.
Onazi pinpoint lack of respect in the Super Eagles
Speaking to The Sun, Onazi, a former Trabzonspor midfielder stated that lack of quality leadership is what is affecting the quality of players in the team.
“The Super Eagles right now parade one of the most talented sets of players. I believe they need the right people to put them in order. Yes, of course, the team is relatively very young, and they also need leadership in the team.
“They need somebody to put them on their toes. Talent is not enough, and when you have a group of talented players like we have in the Super Eagles now, we need someone to control them.
“I was among the youngest when I joined the Super Eagles, and it was always a privilege being among the big players. This is what the team is missing now. They are all big players, and they don’t know who among them should lead.
“During our days, if we had bigger players, we must respect them and respect ourselves. Now, everybody is almost the same. This player cannot talk to the other player; everybody is feeling too big. That is why I said they need a good leader,” Onazi said.
Similarly, former Super Eagles Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama pointed at lack of indiscipline in the team.
According to the former Maccabi Tel Aviv shot-stopper, the Nigeria Football Federation NFF, who is the gatekeeper of rules and regulations is found wanting in areas of players discipline.
“The football house (NFF) should be the gatekeeper of rules and regulations.
“They should know when the players are supposed to be in camp. They should have their schedule like when they played for their clubs. They should hit camp a day after playing for their clubs.
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“Unfortunately, here you find players reporting to camp two or three day after featuring for their clubs without any action or sanction on them,” Enyeama said.
