To realise its ambition of winning the World Cup, a former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Godfrey Gaya, has advised the Nigerian Football Federation to build a new team and prepare for the 2022 World Cup edition.
He said that despite his patriotism, he could not see the national team, the Super Eagles, qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Gaya, who is so passionate about Nigerian football, said it would be a miracle if Nigeria qualifies for the 2018 Mundial.
In an exclusive interview with the The Point, Gaya said none of the three coaches recently shortlisted to lead the team, was competent to deliver on the assignment.
The three coaches vying for the Eagles’ job are Salisu Yusuf (Nigerian), Tom Saintfiet (Belgian), and Frenchman, Paul Le Guen.
According to him, none of the three had the qualification and potential to mould the star-studded Eagles into a winning team, adding that he would be surprised to see Nigeria in Russia.
“I have been following the trend of events in the football house and I am surprised to see the names of the shortlisted coaches as the possible option for the Super Eagles. For instance, Salisu Yusuf is my brother and friend, but I can’t see him qualifying Nigeria for the World Cup. He lacks the experience and exposure.
“He has never played the game at international level such as the late Stephen Keshi. He has not made a great impact outside Nigeria as a coach.
“Saintfiet is an incompetent tactician, who could not even take Ethiopian football beyond the continent of Africa, not to talk of the global stage.
“Can you imagine that a coach rejected by Cameroon is what Nigerian officials are considering for the job? I wonder what would become of our national team if coaches with no pedigree are scrambling for the Eagles’ job,” he said.
Gaya bemoaned the fact Nigeria does not even have a good NFF, who could raise a good team to beat Zambia, Cameroon and Algeria. “We always believe in the fire brigade method. But quote me, Nigeria won’t qualify for the World Cup,” he said.
