Too little, too late

Nigeria under-prepared for African Nations Cup

LAGOS (Reuters) -- Nigeria's squad for the 2002 African Nations Cup is its most ill-prepared ever for a major competition, according to many observers in the country.

"This is the worst preparation the Eagles have ever had for a major competition," said Mumuni Alao, editor of Complete Football, Nigeria's influential soccer magazine.

"The Super Eagles' preparation for Mali only starts today with the friendly against the Elephants (Ivory Coast)," Alao said on Mainbowl, a state television programme. "Even then, two key players, (Nwankwo) Kanu and (Celestine) Babayaro are not yet with the team."

Nigeria's 1994 squad is rated as its best ever, with the team winning the Nations Cup in Tunisia and making an impressive World Cup debut when it reached the second round before losing to Italy.

"The team that played in Tunisia is our best team ever," Segun Odegbami, the former international and director of the Nigerian Institute of Sports, said on the programme.

"The 2002 squad would have been the greatest ever, except for age," Odegbami, a member of Nigeria's 1980 African Nations Cup-winning team said. "The team is very experienced and has a good knowledge of the game."

The Super Eagles go to Mali short of practice, having played only two friendlies -- against South Korea and Japan -- since last July when they qualified for this year's World Cup.

Nigeria has been drawn in the same African Nations Cup group as host Mali, Liberia and Algeria.

It was the only team to miss Wednesday's deadline for the submission of squads and faces a mandatory fine of US$3000, which coach Shaibu Amodu said Wednesday it would take in its stride.

The team could lose two players if it does not send its list of 22 players to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Saturday, according to competition regulations.

Nigeria called off a friendly against Egypt on Tuesday after players refused to play over unpaid World Cup bonuses.

Egypt has asked Nigeria to cover the US$15,000 cost of organizing the match.

The Super Eagles have been drawn in the toughest first-round group at the World Cup finals along with Argentina, England and Sweden.

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