Former Super Eagles defender George Abbey has dismissed insinuations that had the Nigeria Football Federation appointed new manager Gernot Rohr instead of Sunday Oliseh earlier, Nigeria might likely be on their way to Gabon 2017.
Manchester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho’s stunning late strike ensured Nigeria ended their failed Africa Cup of Nations qualifying bid with a 1-0 win over Tanzania at the Akwa Ibom international stadium on Saturday with many saying the efforts came a little too late after Egypt had already clinched the sole qualification ticket.
In a chat with Daily Trust yesterday, the former Macclesfield Town star added that the problems associated with the country’s football goes beyond the Rohr or Oliseh debate but is seriously flawed from the top echelon of the sport administration.
“I don’t think one particular appointment had anything to do with our predicament. We can all say if only we did this earlier or did that earlier things would have been different. The facts are there for everyone to see.
“In my opinion I don’t think the new man in charge would have made a difference. Our football structure is flawed,” the Tunisia 2004 third place winner said.
Abbey went further to suggest that the solution to the problems lie in fixing things at the Glass House where the major decisions affecting the game are taken.
“Until we fix things from the top, we will continue to go backwards. I get asked by people all around the world… What has happened to Nigeria Super Eagles? My reply is always ‘I don’t know’ with sadness,” he concluded.
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