RismadarVoice Reporters
October 3, 2026
Former Nigeria international and ex-Super Eagles assistant coach Sylvanus Okpala has criticised the national team’s approach following its 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau, arguing that Nigeria needs a football philosophy suited to its players rather than relying on an “imported” system.
The Super Eagles suffered the heavy defeat in their second Group L match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, leaving Nigeria on three points from two games while Guinea-Bissau moved to six points.
Okpala described the performance as one of the poorest he had seen from the national team in recent years, questioning Nigeria’s defensive organisation, movement and overall tactical plan.
“If they were tactical, at least, one would have seen a rugged defence line and some movement or signs of a match plan,” he said.
“There was no bite, no defence, no strategy, nothing. I don’t think they had a match plan.”
The former international said responsibility for the performance should not rest entirely on either the players or coaching staff, noting that experienced professionals must make decisions on the pitch while also carrying out tactical instructions.
Okpala maintained that Nigeria has coaches capable of addressing the Super Eagles’ problems, pointing to the late Stephen Keshi’s tenure and the country’s triumph at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
“We have Nigerians here who can do this job. We can do it. We did it with Keshi,” he said.
Despite the setback, Okpala said Nigeria still has an opportunity to recover in the qualifying campaign.
He argued that qualification matches should primarily be about securing results, particularly because national teams usually have limited preparation time before competitive fixtures.
Okpala also rejected the idea that assembling the best individual players automatically produces the strongest team.
“Football has gone beyond having the best 11,” he said.
According to him, successful national teams require a recognisable football identity built around the strengths and characteristics of their players.
He cited countries such as England, Spain and Argentina as examples of teams with distinct football approaches, arguing that Nigeria should learn from other countries without simply copying their systems.
“You don’t come and say you want to play like Brazil, or you want to play like Argentina. No. Every country has its own style of play,” Okpala said.
He maintained that Nigeria could borrow useful elements from other football cultures but should develop a system that reflects the qualities of Nigerian players.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Russia in an international friendly on October 6 before returning to their AFCON qualifying campaign.
