Ex-International, Dosu Joseph, believes that lack of concentration and vision accounted for the Super Eagles’1-1 draw in Blantyre last Saturday. He spoke with IZUCHUKWU OKOSI

The Super Eagles let a 1-0 win slip away and ended last Saturday's 2014 World Cup qualifier against Malawi in a 1-1 draw last Saturday. What was your impression about that game?

The Eagles almost had the game wrapped up but I think lack of concentration when it mattered most was their greatest undoing. They seemed to use a lot of time celebrating the goal scored by Gabriel Reuben late in the game and had to pay dearly for it. I don't know if there was anxiety on the part of the Nigerian side as result of that, but they are still on top of the group and are still favourites to qualify from the group.

The Eagles starting line-up against Malawi was exactly the same against Namibia in Calabar. But the team struggled to score goals on both occasions. Do you think the team needs more fire-power in the attack?

In Ike Uche, the Eagles have a prolific goal scorer but it's understandable that he cannot score in every game that he plays in. When they played against Namibia, he had so many chances but ended up scoring one. In football, these things happen but the team will gel with time. However, I believe it's after the upcoming game against Rwanda in Calabar that we will know whether this team is one we can trust or not.

The Eagles' goal came through Rueben Gabriel, a home-based player. Would you say he should continue to build the team around the domestic league players who have distinguished themselves?

Stephen Keshi is still rebuilding the team and he has told us repeatedly that what he is doing is 'substitution by elimination'. So, any player who does not perform well stands the risk of not really making his team in subsequent games whether home or foreign-based.

Nigerians could not watch the game live because of CAF's new regulations on live broadcast of matches. Do you think this is good for African football?

It's not good for the game. This is the 21st century for God's sake and we should watch every game. The European Championship is going on and we see the matches live. Are we Europeans? Anyway, I believe the over 80 Million Naira worth of payment of broadcast rights will be too much for the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria or other countries to pay, it's ridiculous.

Nigeria's next opponent in the World Cup qualifiers is Kenya who was defeated by Namibia 1-0. Do you think that result will spur them to fight very well against Nigeria when both teams play?

Kenya would want to play the game of their lives when they face Nigeria.  Other African teams now believe that they can match the Eagles because of the 2012 Nations Cup miss. However, I expect the team to consolidate on their leadership on the table and qualify as the group F leader.

On Sunday, the Eagles will play Rwanda in the reverse fixture of the 2013 Africa Nations Cup qualifier. What are your expectations from the team?

It's a dicey one. The first leg ended 0-0 which means the Eagles must win that game because even a 1-1 draw is not good enough which means the Rwandese will go through on away goals rule. The Eagles must go for goals and try and win that game out rightly.

And Keshi's team is ranked outside Africa's top 10 by FIFA. That could affect their seeding in the next round of the Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers?

Surely... and that is why they must try and win the remaining games that they will play from now on.
Do you think the team missed the likes of Yakubu, Osaze, Mikel, Anichebe, Joel Obi, Emenike, Martins etc?

I've always believed that Nigeria can present up to ten national teams at a time. The likes of Uzoenyi, Kalu, Rueben, Egwuike and Oboabana from the NPL are very good, no doubt. But I believe Keshi knows he cannot completely do without those experienced players and so he will still need the services of some of those players you mentioned in due course.

Thank you for your time...

You  are welcome