By Daily Sports on April 4, 2016
Former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu has criticised the Nigeria Football Federation's (NFF) leadership which he says contributed to the national team failing to qualify for two consecutive Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria’s loss in Egypt ruled them out of contention for Gabon 2017, leaving Kanu upset with the NFF.
“What is happening with Nigerian football is that the top management is not what it is supposed to be so what is below is being affected,” Kanu told BBC Sport exclusively from Uganda.
Ex-Arsenal forward Kanu was in Uganda as an ambassador for both Unicef and Chinese cable station TV StarTimes, helping to market Ugandan players to the Chinese Premier League.
He said the Nigeria Federation has to change its style of leadership if Nigeria are to achieve success.
“When the head is not right, even your body won’t be right,” said Kanu.
The two time African footballer of the year said it was a huge loss for Nigeria – who also failed to qualify for Equatorial Guinea in 2015 – to miss another Africa Cup of Nations.
“When we are not at the Nations Cup, it’s not the same,” said Kanu.
Kanu also highlighted the instability surrounding Nigeria coaches.
Samson Siasia was placed in temporary charge of the Super Eagles for the Egypt qualifiers following the resignation of Sunday Oliseh.
As the NFF search for a permanent successor to Oliseh, Kanu maintained it is worth persisting with a local coach.
“Look at Stephen Keshi, he won the nations Cup and led the Super Eagles to the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil,” Kanu explained.
During his time in Uganda, Kanu had the opportunity to play football with children in Katanga, and saw some local matches.
“I watched a game between KCCA FC and SC Villa in the 2016 Star Times Cup a few days ago and I saw a lot of talent that can go to the professional level.”
•Credit (except headline): BBC. Photo shows Kanu playing with Ugandan children in Katanga.
Source Daily Sports
Posted April 4, 2016
You may also like...
Villa close to signing Everton's Onana for £50m...
Osimhen: Can he surpass Yakubu’s goal record?
NFF Technical Committee honours Amodu, Keshi
Nigeria Women Premier League Postponed
Daily Sports Columnist appointed Enugu Rangers Team Manager...
Ex-Nigerian Super Falcons player handcuffed, children assaulted as...
Lookman battles Onyedika in UCL knockout play-off
Osimhen’s Galatasaray thrash Juve 5-2 in UCL first leg playoff
Para-badminton star Bolaji emerges World No. 1 after Bahrain tourney
Falcons to face Cameroon in pre-WAFCON friendlies
Ondo athletes eye Niger Delta Games top spot
Onyekwere-Lyons eyes double Commonwealth Games glory
Priestly Ordination: Igbawase Irotier Family Now Has A Priest
W’Cup: Nigeria’s wait continues as FIFA delays DR Congo verdict
Athletes protest as Ogun award N474m for NSF medallists
Ajagba eyes tougher fights after knocking Martin out
Eagles to face Jordan in March friendly
Senegal coach hails Falconets strength in W’Cup qualifier defeat
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,566 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,871 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,784 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,420 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,336 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,255 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,122 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,670 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,841 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,371 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,761 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,230 views)