Former Nigeria international Ejike Uzoenyi believes grassroots football development is what has given South Africa a steadily increasing edge over Nigeria in recent years, Footynaija.com reports.
Historically, Nigeria, widely known as the giants of Africa, is one of the most prominent footballing nations on the continent. However, the West African nation has struggled to produce the goods in recent years.
Meanwhile, South Africa have caught the eye recently with their performances on the continental stage. Bafana Bafana currently sit top of their World Cup qualifying group, with Nigeria trailing behind in fourth by six points.
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Another recent South African success of note is their U20 national team’s recent triumph at the TotalEnergies CAF U20 AFCON which Amajita won after edging out the Flying Eagles of Nigeria in the semifinals.
Speaking about the Super Eagles World Cup hopes on popular Nigerian sports radio station, Nigeria Info, Uzoenyi, who enjoyed club football success in South Africa with Mamelodi Sundowns, fingered the level development of grassroots football as the difference between both nations.
What Ejike Uzoenyi said
“You need to visit South Africa and see what they are doing there. And if you put South Africa and put Nigeria, in terms of footballing, I will tell you South Africa should win,” he said.
“You can’t farm on a dry land, you need to get water and some rain to harvest big. When you work hard, you must eat. There grassroot football is top top. That’s why they are overtaking us.
“And people who are running football should be accountable for people’s children who they are handing them over to, that’s the problem.”
With four matches left to play for a World Cup spot, Uzoenyi also shared. his thoughts on whether the Super Eagles can still secure a ticket to the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“I wish. We should, we deserve it because of our old name. If we want to keep living there, like we are the giant of Africa, no. We can’t live there without putting in some work.”
