Ex-Super Eagles star reveals why Nigeria missed out on World Cup, impressed with strikers

Former Super Eagles striker Victor Okechukwu Agali believes the change of coaching crew before the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon and the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoffs in March affected Nigeria's chances of qualifying for the tournament in Qatar.  

Gernot Rohr was sacked by the Amaju Melvin Pinnick led Nigeria Football Federation and replaced on interim basis by former international Austin Eguavoen but the Tunisia '94 Africa Cup of Nations winner could not steer the three-time African champions to a seventh World Cup appearance. 

Ghana picked one of Africa's five World Cup tickets at the expense of Nigeria on the away goals rule after a goalless first leg tie in Kumasi and 1-1 at the Moshood Abiola stadium, Abuja. 

Agali shared his thoughts on Brila FM on Monday 13 days to the start of the tournament. 

"The Management (NFF) at that time took a drastic decision," Agali who played a crucial role in the Eagles' passage to the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan told Brila FM. 

Speaking further on the composition of the current Super Eagles team under substantive coach Jose Peseiro who has not been paid of his salaries since his appointment, Agali who played for Hansa Rostok in the German Bundesliga said the following:

"We still have problems defensively but offensively, we are good to go. 

"The strikers are in form at the moment. Hopefully that continues so that we pick up a 2023 Afcon ticket. Missing the World Cup is a big disappointment," Agali added. 

Nigerian strikers were in great scoring form over the weekend with Victor Osimhen scoring one and assisting the other in Napoli's 2-1 win over Atalanta. 

Ademola Lookman scored one of Atalanta's goals from the penalty spot given away by Osimhen. 

Paul Onuachu scored four goals for his Belgian side in the Pro leaguein the last round of matches albeit he has not produced so much of that form for the national team. 

Terem Moffi also continued his form in the French Ligue 1 as he scored his ninth goal of the season in Lorient's 1-2 defeat to PSG this weekend. 

Moffi is third on the goal scorers chart in France behind the illustrious PSG duo of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar junior who have scored 11 Ligue 1 goals..

Izuchukwu Michael
 

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