ABUJA – Football enthusiasts on Thursday expressed disappointment over the Super Eagles goalless draw against Bafana Bafana of South Africa. on Wednesday night in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2015 qualifier.
The match, played in Cape Town, South Africa, was the second in the group qualification series.
Some football enthusiasts, who spoke to the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the Nigerian team did not perform up to expectation.
Ex- International Tijani Babangida said that he was not very happy with the result.
“I think if we had taken our time in this game, we would have won it comfortably but the problem was that everyone was anxious and in a hurry to score and so we could not play our game.
“We began to play according to their pattern and thus making silly mistakes here and there.
“Our boys are more mature than the South Africans and were supposed to make that count but they failed to do so and allowed them dictate the pace of the game,’’ he said.
Babangida, however, noted that all hope was not lost since Nigeria still had four games to play.
“Thank God we didn’t lose because it would have been more disastrous for us.
“Our strength lies in the wings and so we must learn to use them more frequently and effectively.
“You could see that Osagona Ighodaro almost profited from an aerial ball which Ahmed Musa crossed from the right wing.
“Ighodaro is a player who is very good in the air, especially in the box and his qualities must be exploited regularly by Coach Keshi. I think he was introduced from the bench a little bit late,’’ he said.
Musa Talle, the Chairman of FCT Football Association, attributed the Eagles’ poor showing to the fear of what befell the team in their first game against Congo Brazzaville.
“I think the fear of what happened to the Eagles after they lost 2-3 at home to the Congolese affected the team.
“You could see that they were very apprehensive in the game against the South Africans, but we thank God that we, at least, came back home with a point.
“However, if we continue like this, I am very worried that we might not be able to qualify for AFCON 2015.’’
Talle said Keshi had a lot of work to do as the team had yet to blend and hit the much needed form as the defending African Champions.
“Generally, the team is not playing progressive football. They are still struggling to play their game.
“Even though there was a little improvement in their game against the South Africans, however, we are yet to see the team that won the last AFCON title play the kind of football that earned them the crown.’’
Tunde Popoola, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Secretary-General, said the performance of the team was a clear signal that the team was beginning to have tired legs.
“They played as if nothing was at stake; they got tired easily and could have easily been beaten by the South Africans. [eap_ad_1] “I think we need to start looking out for young players to take over from the older players as these players are saturated.
“They lack ideas and are no more committed to the game because I think they have that notion that they have arrived.’’
The NOC Scribe said there was no bite in the attack, while the midfield was out of form and the defence shaky.
“So, I think there is a dire need to reshuffle the team before it gets too late,’’ he said.
Godwin Bamigboye, Chairman, Nigeria Football Coaches Association, FCT Chapter , said that the team was so disorganised and lacked cohesion.
“I think our team is not yet organised; the midfielders are not creative enough as our attackers are not fed with the right balls at the right time.
“Our defence is also not solid as it was apparent that the South Africans had better incursions into the heart of our defence than we had at theirs,’’ he said.
NAN reports that Congo Brazzaville now top Group A with six points after defeating Sudan 2-0 on Wednesday, while South Africa lie second on the table with four points.