Former Nigeria captain, Austin Okocha, on Saturday said football in the country is “long dead and gone” and has refused to blame the Super Eagles or coach Stephen Keshi for the team 0-1 defeat to Sudan in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.


A ferocious header by striker Bakri Abd Elgadir in the closing stages of the first half flew past goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and put the hosts ahead of the African champions.

The result means Nigeria now walk a tight rope towards qualifying for the biennial African football showpiece billed for Morocco in 2015.

Okocha leapt to the defence of the current crop of players and the coach, insisting the nation’s game is failing immensely.

“Anyone that blames Keshi or the boys is short sighted. Our football is long dead and gone. This is just the confirmation” Goal quoted Okocha as saying on his Twitter handle.

Stating that the result of the match has put the national team in a “very unusual situation,”Okocha cautioned against unfairly criticising the Super Eagles and the coaching crew.

“We are in a very unusual situation. The question is: ‘do we deserve better considering the state of our football affairs in recent times?’ Anyone that blames Keshi or the boys is short-sighted. Our football is long dead and gone. This is just the confirmation,” the former Nigerian midfielder tweeted.

The teammate of the Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, however, praised the South African national team for their 2-0 triumph over their host, Congo, adding that Nigeria should step up their game.

“Well done, South Africa. It is not the result most Nigerians expected, though. But we have to step up our game and grab the next six points to have a chance,” Okocha added.

Meanwhile, Nigerians have been divided over the Super Eagles’ slim chances of qualifying for the 2015 African Cup of Nations following the Sudan defeat.

While some social commentators argued that Keshi should voluntarily throw in the towel or be sacked, others said he should not be unceremoniously removed.


http://news2.onlinenigeria.com/news/general/382447-nigerian-football-is-dead-okocha.html

Its obvious nah.. Super praying mantis

Okocha is jst avoiding blaming anyone....
Keshi is d cause...his Ego is well over his head
He dosent know how to connect with his players...u have ur players doing good all over d globe...yet u won't bring dem into d team..cos of some selfish reazons...He lost it all since after d World cup...I think he should be sacked...besides he's never even given Nigerians a 50% consistency...1 match its ds..d next its dat..Even d Nations cup he won took off on a rough note...hw lucky he got
Jst been too bossy...