Former national team star, Peter Nieketien has come out with a stunning declaration that players in the Super Eagles should be blamed for the team’s recent run of bad results, not the coach, Sports247 reports.
Speaking against the backdrop of a recent 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, which further put Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the next FIFA World Cup on a thin line, Nieketien pointed at what he termed lack of commitment from many of the national team’s players.
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The Julius Berger FC of Lagos legend propounded, “It’s not as if the players are not good. We judge them with their performances in their clubsides, but every time they come to play for Nigeria, we will find out that their level of performance is dropping to about 40 or 50%. This is seriously affecting the outcome of our games. If not tackled, we are still going to keep on struggling.”
Peter Nieketien opined further that the Super Eagles would get better results if the players showed the same level of discipline and follow similar restrictions that they regularly and routinely obey at their clubs, instead of turning up as sacred cows in the national camp.
He continued: “At the end of the day, when they are in their clubsides, they obey different kinds of dos and don’ts. However, when they come to Nigeria, they are superstars and see themselves as already made starters in the national team. They believe nobody can drop them and they can behave anyhow they want to behave. They just do it the way they like and have their way.”
The former battling player concluded with suggestions on the way forward, tops of which he advocated the need for reorientation that would make players invited to the Super Eagles take it as a national privilege and put all their heart into making the best of such a rare opportunity.
“That is one area we have to look at. The problem now is not in the coaching but with the players. It is the determination, dedication and willpower of our players. At this point, it is only those who want to succeed with the national team that we need now,” Nieketien posited.
