Super Eagles’ first match performance at AFCON poor: Fans

The team fumbled with the ball.

News Agency of Nigeria • January 14, 2024

Super Eagles(Credit: Score Nigeria)

Some football fans have described Super Eagles performance in their draw against Equatorial Guinea at the 2023 African Cup of Nations as below par.

The second group A game played at the Alhassan Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Sunday, saw Equatorial Guinea take the lead in the 36 minute of play after Ivan Salvador curled a shot into the far corner of the Eagles net.

The three-time African champions replied two minutes later with Victor Osimhen’s powerful header connecting from Ademola Lookman’s cross to draw level.

Efforts from the Nigerian side to snatch the maximum three points were futile as they lost numerous opportunities to convert goals.

Some fans who watched the game at a viewing centre in Aco Estate, Abuja, expressed disappointment with Eagles performance during an interview.

Musa Mohammed, a non-league side football player, said he had expected the game to be an easy win for the country, following the disparity in FIFA rankings between both sides.

“Nigeria (42) are ranked way above Equatorial Guinea (88) on the table and there are lots of big names playing in top leagues in the side, so I had expected an easy win for the Eagles.

“The team fumbled with the ball. They were not clinical in front of goal, and missed lots of chances, especially Osimhen’s missed opportunity in the second half.

“It was an abysmal show and I hope they regroup better ahead of their other group games,” Mr Mohammed said.

Prince Bonachristus, a Physical Health Education teacher, said the defence was not encouraging. The defence was frail. They couldn’t clear up their lines. The attacking department also didn’t live up to expectations.

“The team didn’t play like there was something at stake. I hope that Jose Peseiro will do a better job with the team before their next game against hosts Côte d’Ivoire,” he said.

Jessica Mmuo, a student and football enthusiast, said: “One point is not good enough when playing a team like Nzalang Nacional. We are way above them in football.

“I hope they go back to the drawing board and quickly correct their errors in this first game, else we should forget about winning this edition of AFCON.”

Nigeria will play hosts Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday before facing Guinea Bissau on January 22.

(NAN)

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