Latest FIFA ranking not an indication of our administrators’ efforts, says Disu

Former International, Tajudeen Disu, has described the current FIFA’s rating of the Super Eagles released this month as a good one. According to him, the new status of the nation was not a reflection of the administrators’ strength.

Super Eagles is ranked eight in Africa and 50th in the world. The team, under Coach Gernot Rohr, has enjoyed a good run of form, defeating Tanzania in the last AFCON qualifier though Eagles failed to qualified. The Rohr-led team has won two matches of the World Cup qualifiers for Russia 2018, recording victories over Zambia and Algeria. The nation now tops Group B of the African zone of the World Cup qualifiers.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Disu said the nation’s new rating in the FIFA ranking is good for the game. He added that the nation is gradually picking up to where it used to be in the past.

“This is the kind of improvement that we are yearning for. It is good for the game; it shows that we are now doing well, as far as the male senior national football is concerned.

“Lack of focus has always being the bane of our football in the immediate past. Now the boys have suddenly realized this and are ready to make amends as we have seen them did in the last two World Cup qualifiers.

“But that is not an indication that our administrators are doing what is expected from them. The case of match bonuses and other issues yet to be resolved. Many of them have contributed to our dwindled fortune in football,” he said.

The former captain of the defunct Abiola Babes, who commended Coach Rohr for his effort so far, said the success recorded by the Eagles must not entirely be ascribed to his technical knowhow.

“I may say here that the victories achieved by the Eagles are not solely the effort of Gernot. Much of the effort is due to the new commitment and determination on the part of the players to succeed by the players.

“Let us wait and see how far the coach will go with the bunch of talented players that we have right now. The players should keep up the good work until we get to our rightful place in the world of football,” he stated.