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Former Poland international Emmanuel Olisadebe has voiced concerns over the uninspiring and ineffective football played by Nigeria’s Super Eagles in recent years, Footynaija.com reports.
Under former head coach José Peseiro — now at Zamalek in Egypt — the Super Eagles reached the final of the last Africa Cup of Nations.
However, their cautious, defence-first approach left many fans frustrated. Star attackers like Paul Onuachu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Terem Moffi, and Samuel Chukwueze spent more time on the bench than on the pitch, as Nigeria relied on a rigid and conservative setup.
The team’s playing style has not significantly improved since Peseiro’s departure, with his successors, George Finidi and Augustine Eguavoen, failing to bring attacking flair back to the side.
Olisadebe believes that for Nigeria to regain its footballing identity, the team must return to the dynamic wing play that defined its golden era in the 1990s, when the Super Eagles won the 1994 AFCON, dazzled at the World Cup, and claimed Olympic gold in 1996.
Nigeria recently appointed Franco-Malian coach Eric Chelle as head coach, and Olisadebe hopes the former Lens defender can revive the team’s attacking flair.
“The Nigerian football, for me now, does not have an identity,” Olisadebe told ThisDay.
“We try to play very efficient football like the Europeans, and it’s sad to watch a 90-minute game that’s all about passes and passes. Nigerian football is noted for its wing play. Nigerians want to see good wingers.
“We should therefore return to our traditional wing play because it’s affecting our football. Maybe having an African coach for the Super Eagles now can return the country’s football to the traditional wing play we are noted for.”
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and now face the real possibility of missing the next edition, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Super Eagles currently sit fifth in their qualifying group behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic, and Lesotho. Only the group winners will secure automatic qualification.
With crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March approaching, Olisadebe remains skeptical about Nigeria’s chances.
“If I have to be sincere, I think it’s a very uphill task for us to qualify,” he added. “We can only hope that the players win all their remaining matches and secure a place at the World Cup.”
Chelle, who led Mali to the AFCON quarterfinals last year, is the first non-Nigerian African to take charge of the Super Eagles.
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