Former Super Eagles forward Jonathan Akpoborie has shared his thoughts about the issues facing Nigerian football.

Speaking on No-Holds-Barred with Ifeanyi Udeze on Brila FM, the 55-year-old provided insights on the national team’s problems, placing the blame squarely on the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

“Our problem in football in Nigeria since the last world cup who missed is not coach and players problem, it is administrative problem.

He continued, “When they appointed Finidi, before that time I’ve never seen a Nigerian that will handle our national team, not on the coaching level but on political level, outside the team that is controlling the team because all these things are affecting the decision of the coaches.

“The games Finidi coached were the first time in 10 or 15 years I saw a Nigerian team in control of the ball from back to front, just like they play in Europe. But the underlying problem is that Nigerians don’t realize these boys are not always fit. They would have gone on holidays.

“Before they employed Finidi the FA knew they have calendar and these boys would go for holidays. Before that time, they shouldn’t have allowed them go on that holiday. They should have quickly appointed the coach or arrange for those boys to immediately go camp continue to train for these games.

“We played South Africa, and all their players were fit. We also played Benin, and they were in camp for almost two months to prepare. But our players went on holiday, and ten days before the game, they started going to camp, some even just two days before.

“Our players can play well; we don’t need to doubt that. We watch them every weekend in Europe. But the right person needs to arrange them with the right tactics that complement their skills and improve their game.

He concluded by expressing his belief in the team and their chances of qualifying: “We can win the six games; we’ve done it before.

“The NFF should get their act together and make the right decisions because those decisions impact us on the field. That’s what is affecting Nigerian football.”