By Eddie Akalonu
Ex- international Nicholas Ukadike has called on the nation’s football administrators to reconsider their choice of countries for friendly matches for the national team, saying “ there is a need to face top notch football playing countries than taking up weaklings that do no good for the Eagles.

The latest FIFA ranking knocks Nigeria to 63 and out of the top ten in Africa, but Ukadike, a former top striker for the defunct Spartans, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, A.C.B and Abiola Babes Football Clubs respectively said Nigeria’s case could be  improved “if the NFF adopts a new strategy of purposely arranging Grade A friendly games which would earn valuable points to push up the country’ profile.”

“Right now there is no immediate competition for the national team. But we can be busy playing top flight friendly games against specifically selected countries that will give us good points The icing on the cake would be to win and keep the team busy playing quality countries either hosted by us here or arranged elsewhere,” he insisted.

Coach Ukadike added that “rather than play one match and wait for a long interval before playing another, we should really put some emphasis on playing well planned games ahead of the Nations Cup that is still far away,”

“Agreed Keshi is building his team but if we were positive and solid with our programmes, then our ability to play constantly, choosing notable countries up there on the list would help a great deal”, he stated.