Former Super Eagles striker, Jonathan Akpoborie, is not considering the Super Eagles as one of the favourite teams to win the 29th Africa Cup of Nations starting in South Africa this Saturday.
In an interview with Goal.com, he said the team has an outside chance of lifting trophy come February 10 in Johannesburg.
“Because football is not Mathematics, it is possible for the Super Eagles to win but at the same time they could crash out in the first round,” was his reply to the question can Nigeria win the cup?
“People say I am always criticising the national team, but with the performances exhibited, I will continue to say the truth and if that is construed as criticism – so be it,” he added.
Akpoborie is of the view that despite been in charge for the past 13 months there has not been much improvement in the tactical setup of the national team.
“When Keshi came in, the slogan was that the team is in a rebuilding phase, agreed. But this team still cannot put together five accurate passes from defence to attack – so I ask what are we rebuilding?
“We are still at the same stage even though we will continue to have talented players who do better with their European club sides. It says something about the national set up and this question must be answered speedily for us to move forward,” he said.
“When I saw the team against Venezuela and Catalonia XI, you see a huge chasm between the strikers and the midfielders and also a huge vacuum between the defenders and the midfielders which gives me cause to worry.
“We need a big improvement in passing and possession if we want to go all the way in South Africa,” he added.
He tipped Victor Moses as the likely player that has the quality or influence that will give the team the edge in South Africa.
“When you see that boy in training, you know that he has still got a lot in his locker to show-case for the national team. He is one player that is almost technically and tactically sound though he is still learning the ropes.
“I am expecting a lot from him but I hope that the coach will deploy him correctly so that he will be able to hurt our opponents.”
With the inclusion of six players from the Nigeria Premier League in Keshi’s final 23-man squad, some people are saying that the home-based lads are getting close to their European counterparts but Akpoborie begs to disagree.
“I watched the Eagles in training before the match against Liberia in Calabar last year, I was able to point out local players when they touched the ball by their movement and the intensity of their actions.
“I will say that there is still a big difference between someone that has been coached exclusively in Nigeria and others who play in Europe.
“There is still a lot that the local coaches miss out in training our players which must be addressed before we say players from home and abroad are now at par,” he added.