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Osasu Obayiuwana BBC Sport

We cannot allow things to deteriorate further, because I cannot contemplate a World Cup without Nigeria Ibrahim Galadima, Nigeria FA chairman

After qualifying for the last three World Cup finals, Nigerians have begun to regard their team's appearance at football's most prestigious event as a right rather than a hard-won privilege.

And with the wealth of talent at its disposal, few doubt that the West African nation has the potential to become the first African team to win the World Cup.

But Saturday's 1-1 draw against Angola in Kano means the Super Eagles' chances of making it to next year's finals in Germany are in serious jeopardy.

Both Nigeria and Angola have 14 points but the Palancas Negras top Group Four, thanks to a superior head-to-head record, having beaten the Super Eagles at home last year.

"We have made things very difficult for ourselves," a very sober Ibrahim Galadima, Nigeria FA Chairman, admitted to BBC Sport.

"We cannot allow things to deteriorate further, because I cannot contemplate a World Cup without Nigeria."

Galadima also criticised the management style of Christian Chukwu, who was 'indefinately suspended' as Super Eagles manager on Tuesday.

Pundits savaged Chukwu's choice of substitutions for Saturday's game - particularly his decision to replace the quick-paced striker Ayodele Makinwa with the much slower Kanu Nwankwo.

Several players, who declined to be named, told BBC Sport that Chukwu's decisions during the game were perplexing and led to a 'frank exchange of views' in the dressing room after the match.

Chukwu, a former Nigeria captain and 1980 Cup of Nations winner, has been accused of lacking the personality to deal with a team of ego-driven Europe-based players.

For instance, it is an open secret that personal relations between Chukwu and his skipper Jay-Jay Okocha are anything but cordial.

I was surprised to hear that I was expected to play against Rwanda Jay-Jay Okocha, justifying his absence from Nigeria's World Cup qualifier in Kigali

This stems from Okocha's unhappiness over the media furore that followed his absence from the previous World Cup qualifier against Rwanda.

Okocha insists that he was excused from the game in Kigali after consulting the coach.

He told BBC Sport that he was "surprised" when Chukwu subsequently told the media that he was expected to appear in Kigali.

His absence triggered a whirlwind of criticism, with many questioning the midfielder's commitment to the Nigerian cause.

"I told the coach that I was very tired [after the end of the English season] and needed a break.

"I was excused from the game, so I was surprised to hear that I was expected to play against Rwanda," Okocha said.

When BBC Sport asked Chukwu for his own interpretation of what happened, he refused to take up issues with Okocha.

"I cannot go public with what I discussed with him.

"He is my captain and we managed to resolve the problems before the match against Angola, which was why he played that game and scored a great goal."

Okocha, who would become the first African player to feature in four successive World Cup finals - should Nigeria reach Germany - knows he has his work cut out to rescue Nigeria's campaign.

Only wins in their last two qualifying games - Algeria (away) and Zimbabwe (home), will give them any chance of reaching Germany.

But those victories will only count if the impressive Angolans drop points aginst Gabon and Rwanda in their remaining ties.

With Austin Eguavoen, former Nigeria captain and Chukwu's assistant, now taking temporary charge of the team, the precarious situation certainly leaves Nigeria at the mercy of the footballing gods.