FIFA ranking reflects Nigeria’s current status in world football, says Disu

FORMER International, Tajudeen Disu, has expressed displeasure over the current position of the Super Eagles in the recent FIFA rankings, where Nigeria was placed 12th in Africa and 59th in the world.

Disu argues that Nigeria has no business being outside top 10 in Africa, saying it is unfortunate that the Super Eagles no longer commands respect in world football.

“I think the current rating goes to show that our game is declining and that we have not been doing well as far as results from matches played, both in competitive games and friendlies, are concerned,” he said.

The former captain of the defunct Abiola Babes Football Club, believes the country can still regain its pride in international football, adding that with hard work and dedication from all stakeholders, the Eagles can reach the top 10 in the world.

“I think there is still a lot of hard work to be done to regain back our pride of place, as a footballing nation. And for us to get there, we need to reorganise our league for better results. Players need to be discovered from our local leagues in order to have materials for the national team.

“I think we should know what to do to get back to our rightful position. We cannot be calling ourselves super power or African power and in the ranking we keep on going down. This is not good, it obviously tells you that we have to come together and do the right thing.

“The NFF has to think of what to do and focus on how to make sure that all is well with our senior national team. For now, I don’t think we really have a team as far as Super Eagles is concerned that can go out there and do the country proud.

“Politics and nepotism have taken over our national teams, and this is not good for the game. Politics has never helped any game in the world rather it kills it. We should sit down and look inwards, do our homework in order to regain back our days of glory,” he added.