Friendly match wins, not enough for higher FIFA ranking —Amiesimaka

Adokiye Amiesimaka, one of the first graduates to play for Nigeria, later became Attorney General of Rivers State

Ex-international Adokiye Amiesimaka said on Monday that defeating Argentina in a friendly was not enough to elevate the position of the Super Eagles in FIFA’s monthly ranking.

Amiesimaka told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the Super Eagles should rather strive to be more consistent in their performances.

“Beating Argentina is such a big deal that we expect suddenly to be number two or number one. Even if we were to rank ourselves and we want to be true to ourselves and we want to be honest. “We know that we are really nowhere, the potential has always been there, but in terms of quality, we are not there yet.

“Most of our players are trained and groomed for us by foreigners and foreign clubs.

“Football in Nigeria is still in its infancy. So, if FIFA ranks us 50 or 60 or even 100, I won’t be surprised, we should tell ourselves the truth that we are not there yet.

“Potential yes, but you know, potential is one stage, realisation of potential is another. We have not taken the needful steps to realise our full potential.’’

NAN reports that Nigerians were outraged when Super Eagles dropped from the 41st to the 50th position in FIFA’s November ranking of national football teams.