Football enthusiasts in Enugu on Monday expressed dismay over the Flying Eagles’ semifinal 1-0 loss to Gambia at the ongoing U-20 African Cup of Nation (AFCON) football competition in Egypt.

The fans said the Eagles failed because they lacked good midfielders and strikers in the team.

A coach, Anistar Izuikem, said the team played well but needed to be worked on before the Indonesia U-20 World Cup.

He said the team lacked good players in some vital areas, calling on the technical crew to beef up the midfield, striking force and working more on the transitional play.

“I think the team lacked finishers because they had shots on goal but could not convert anyone. We have quality players all around this country that can defeat any team, and It is just about the right process,” he noted. 

He added, “I believe with good selections and preparations. The team will do better at the world cup. It is time to go back to the drawing board and strengthen the team.”

Norbert Okolie, a fan, said he always wanted Nigerian teams to win African trophies and the world cup.

He said he would have been happier if the team got to the final of the competition in Egypt.

“Though I did not watch the match; so sad that we lost the game, which we should have scaled through, to face Senegal in the final. Thankfully, they are through to the FIFA World cup because I cannot afford to miss Nigeria’s national team at any world stage,” Okolie said.

Okolie described the team as a “work in progress” and believed they would shock the world with higher tactical play.

Ikechukwu Okoronkwo, another fan, hailed the players for reaching the semifinal, noting that not all the teams would reach the final.

“The team played well and would have equalised if not for the referee’s alleged dubious officiating. We can still win the third-place match to make up instead of going home empty-handed from the competition,” he said.

(NAN)