Former Nigeria international Jay Jay Okocha, has questioned the passion of the country’s players, after they were eliminated in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.
The current champions of the competition, could only draw 2-2 with South Africa at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium on Wednesday and will not be present to defend their trophy next year in Equatorial Guinea.
Okocha feels that the players have their own share of the blame, not just coach Stephen Keshi.
“I think, to be honest, we will always produce talented players. But perhaps the question is whether they have the same passion that they used to have,” Okocha told Goal.
“People are pressuring them about that, you know, because sometimes it seems as if they don’t really care much about the result.”
Okocha added that the Eagles began the qualifiers on a bad note and were only fighting to grab a ticket in the end.
“Of course it was down to our bad spot, even if we were still in with a chance,” he said.
“I think sometimes players must have a wake-up call before they realise they are back in African football. They left themselves get into a difficult position.”
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