Alex Mana, Chief Lecturer, National Institute of Sports (NIS), on Monday in Abuja, said that the Super Eagles had not played to the standards as expected of a national team.
Mana said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) against the backdrop of Eagles poor performance in the 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
He, however, said that Eagles might find it difficult to qualify for the competition.
“ Super Eagles are not raising their game to the standards of a national team. This is not what it used to be like.
“Eagles lack the zeal and commitment expected of a national team and except they up their game and are ready to play for their country, they might find it difficult to qualify.
“They just have to work hard and focus on winning all their remaining matches and pray that those teams with high points mess up their own game.
“Maybe that way, we will get something,’’ he said.
He said: “no African team is seen as a minor team anymore and as defending champions, Nigeria is a team that everybody wants to beat.
“So, it is up to Eagles to become agile and defend their title,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the Super Eagles lost 0-1 to the Jediane Falcons of Sudan in their qualifying match in Khartoum on Saturday.
Nigeria had in the previous group A qualifiers lost 2-3 at home to Republic of the Congo, while obtaining a 0-0 draw with Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Cape Town.
Nigeria are now placed last in the group with one point from three matches as the Super Eagles host Sudan on Wednesday in a return leg.
South Africa defeated Congo 2-0 in Pointe Noire, overtook the Congolese to occupy the top spot in the group with seven points.
Congo is now second with six points, while Sudan is third with three points.
The 2015 AFCON is scheduled to hold from Jan. 17 to Feb. 8. (NAN)
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