By Martins Odeh
Abuja – The Super Eagles may have exited the World Cup but their supporters in Nyanya and Mararaba parts of Abuja and Nasarawa State have expressed satisfaction in the team’s doggedness against Argentina.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lionel Messi’s 14 minutes strike and a late goal from Marcos Rojo were enough to leapfrog the Argentina to the round of 16.
The spporters made their positions known in separate interviews with the NAN on Tuesday in Abuja.
A cross section of them said the encounter remained the team’s best match at the World Cup, adding that other Nigerians must take the loss in good faith.
They, however, explained that poor technical judgment and inability to tame the rampaging Argentine strikers allowed Rojo, a defender to slot in the winning goal for their opposition.
Adeola Ojo, a Civil Servant, said the doggedness in which the players approached the game had gladdened the hearts of many of their supporters.
“”Our expectation may have been very high. This is a team for the future and I am happy with them and the coaching crew led by Gernot Rohr,’’ he said.
Pius Dimkpa, another Civil Servant said it was painful that the Eagles were again ousted from the fiesta by Argentina, adding however, that the players did not disappoint eventually.
““I salute their commitment and courage that led to them scoring. They were surely denied a penalty. The game at this stage is not always fair’’, he said.
Musa Abdurahaman, a Legal Practitioner, said the boys gave good account of themselves, adding that they had showed that Nigeria was not a push over.
He said the duo of Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses were too cautious with engaging the Argentines in the game but still described them as ““machines’’ that should be feared by any team.
““Our good performance made an ex- Argentine super star, Diego Maradona to weep several times on the stand. They too must respect the Eagles for their heroic display’’, he said.
On his part, John Opinta, an amateur footballer, said Gernot Rohr must be given enough time and space to build a formidable team for the country.
Opinta explained that the players must be appreciated even though they lost two of their group games.