There was a time when playing Nigeria was arguably the toughest test in African football.

Between 1980 and 1994, the Super Eagles were the team which everyone feared on the continent.

They had a swagger in their attitude that intimidated their opponents and carried them to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations Cup five times.

But there is something seriously wrong somewhere, and Nigerian football is at a nadir.

Despite the talent at its disposal, Nigeria is struggling to find a place even among the top five teams in Africa.

Nothing could portray their situation more clearly than Monday’s poor display when losing 1-0 to the Ivory Coast in that much hyped Group B clash in Sekondi.

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Whilst the Elephants appeared to have a game plan they were happy to stick to, Nigeria lacked form and adventure, and spent the evening running around aimlessly.

What we saw on Monday was further proof that the Super Eagles are a team in decline – and quite possibly - denial too.

There is plenty of football to play yet in this Nations Cup, but there seems little purpose for Berti Vogts’ squad other than survival.

That Nigeria have some of the most gifted players in the world is beyond dispute, but on the evidence of Monday’s defeat, winning the African title this year seems out of the question.

Whatever the reasons for their decline - and every expert in Nigeria has his or her own theory – something drastic needs to be done to get the Super Eagles back on track.

Most players, past and present, like to blame their administrators for the team’s ills but that, in my view, is a cop out.

There is certainly some merit to that argument, but I think that makes up only 20% of the problem.