The Super Eagles' third place finish at the just concluded 23rd African Cup of Nations appears to be a blessing in disguise as the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has finally declared that the country's national team is not ready for the 2002 World Cup coming up in Korea and Japan in June.

Chairman of the NFA, Brig. Gen. Dominic Oneya (retd) in an exclusive interview with P.M.Sport at the end of the Nations Cup in Bamako, Mali, disclosed that the Eagles' loss to the Terenga Lions of Senegal in the semi-finals is a clear indication that the Eagles are far from a world cup team.

Gen. Oneya, who spoke philosophically contended that it was good that the team lost to the young Senegalese, stressing that if the Super Eagles had qualified for the final, Nigerians would have been fooled to think that the country had a team for the World cup.

"We all wanted them to win the Nations Cup but now I believe if they had done so or even reached the final, we all would have been satisfied and gone to sleep", Oneya said.

Despite admitting the fact that the present Super Eagles team need to undergo surgical operation, the NFA boss however, dispelled the speculation making the rounds that the team may be disbanded.

"We are certainly not looking in that direction, but we are of the view that fresh players need to be injected into the team. There are a lot of players who will be tried out. After playing about four or five friendlies, it would be clear as to what shape the team would take", he submitted.

The NFA chairman, nonetheless, gave kudos to the Super Eagles for winning the bronze at the Nations Cup after defeating the hosts, Eagles of Mali 1-0 in the third place match.(ACONS)