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Former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu has lamented the team's failure to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and has advised the players to draw a lesson from the situation.
"We have to move forward, God is with us. The disappointment should be seen as a blessing and God knows why (we have failed). It's not the end of our football but a big lesson that without God we can't say we have won," he said in an online interview on Sunday.
He added, "Nigeria will soon get back to winning ways as long as the players remain committed."
The Portsmouth forward, who is a Special Adviser on Sports to the Imo State Governor, is organising a state league of 27 teams and believes the early discovery of young and talented players for the national teams remain the solution to the nation's football problems.
He said, "The league which starts on November 11 is aimed at giving the youths the opportunity to play and express themselves while we have the chance to help the talented ones to achieve their dreams.
"I believe youth football remains the hope of Nigeria. We only need to place more emphasis on it and encourage the youths.
"I'm willing to go to the grass roots to unearth new talents for our national teams. I believe we have players who can replace the Kanus and the Okochas in our teams; they just need to be discovered and given the opportunity.
"The street football tournament which I initiated in Imo State just ended on a successful note. It was aimed at taking the youths off the street and engage them in a productive venture. I've also revived the school sports competition that was dead since 2008."
Kanu added that only commitment and expertise could bring Nigerian sports back to the top.
Punch