Super Eagles interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has blamed poor officiating for the Super Eagles’ crashing out of the 2021 Nations Cup in Cameroon.

“We tried to come back after the Tunisia goal, and we chased the game. But then we got a red card. It was clear that the officiating wasn’t fair,” Eguavoen, while speaking at the post-match press conference, said.

He believed that the Super Eagles did not deserve to lose against Tunisia in their round of 16 game.

Title favourites Nigeria crashed out of the competition on Sunday in Garoua after a 0-1 loss to Tunisia.

The North Africans have now advanced to the competition’s quarter-finals. They will take on the Stallions of Burkina Faso on the same Stade Roumde Adjia pitch in Garoua.

Eguavoen disclosed that he had told the players to quickly put the loss behind them and face the job at hand in March.

”I have told the players to pick up and ensure they qualify Nigeria for the World Cup,” Eguavoen said.

He pointed out that it was always difficult to play against a tactical side like Tunisia, especially when the officiating was unfair.

“I won’t criticise the referee because they are masters of the game, but Alex Iwobi’s red card wasn’t fair. The foul wasn’t an intentional one,” the coach added.

The Super Eagles will now look forward to the 2022 FIFA World Cup African zone playoffs in March against Ghana.

(NAN)