Ghana were reduced to 10 men 12 minutes after the break.
“I said from January on we are (playing) finals, and we won many finals,” Ten Hag told reporters. “Now we lost one final.”
Goals from the duo of Bassey and Iwobi saw Fulham grab a crucial 2-1 win against United.
Despite the team effort, Iwobi faced criticism on social media from fans who singled him out for the team’s performance.
“We know they have scored a lot of goals, but I have confidence in my team that we will be able to withstand any pressure from them,” Iwobi stressed.
“The players have come to realise that your mistake is mine and mine is yours.’’
Barely 30 seconds into the game, Nigeria nearly found the back of the net, but Alex Iwobi’s shot was saved by the goalkeeper, Jesus Owono.
The players were absent from the team that demolished Sao Tome and Principe in last month’s 2023 AFCON qualifier in Uyo.
The Cross River gorillas live in the mountainous region between Nigeria and Cameroon and it’s Africa’s most endangered ape species.
The Super Eagles will take on the Leone Stars in an AFCON Group A qualifier on June 18 in Monrovia.
