Former Nigerian defender, Bright Omokaro, has launched a strong critique of the current Super Eagles squad, accusing them of lacking the seriousness and commitment that past generations exhibited.
Speaking on Brila FM, Omokaro, who was part of the 1988 African Cup of Nations silver-winning team, pointed out a noticeable difference between the present squad and the teams of the past.
He underscored the camaraderie and dedication that used to be the hallmark of the Super Eagles, saying, “There was a very big cooperation and cohesion in past Super Eagles teams.”
“When you are invited, you must show that you can do it. We always had time to train together before the match proper; there was commitment back then,” he continued.
Omokaro also voiced concerns about the selection process, questioning the inclusion of some players in the national team.
“They even invite players you’ve never heard of to the national team. It is pathetic,” he remarked.
Despite his concerns about the current state of the team, Omokaro believes that qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is still achievable.
However, he emphasized the need for hard work, dedication, and a strong mentality.
“It’s a slim chance (qualifying for the 2026 World Cup), but football is unpredictable. Victory requires a lot of sacrifice. If you don’t work hard, it will not work out well.”
Currently, the Super Eagles are fifth in their World Cup qualifying group and have important matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe coming up in March 2025.
