Eagles depart as Chukwu, Fashanu slam team
Beaten
Super Eagles departed Nigeria for Johannesburg on Sunday night ahead of
the 2015 African Nations Cup qualifier against South Africa billed for
Wednesday in Cape Town. The Eagles Media Officer, Ben Alaiya, confirmed their schedule while boarding the flight at the Murtala
Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
He said, “We are set to board our flight now from Lagos.” He added that the Eagles were not originally scheduled to leave on Tuesday.
The African champions are in a must-win
situation against South Africa after surprisingly losing their opening
game 3-2 to Congo in Calabar on Saturday just as the South Africans who
shocked Sudan 3-0 away on Friday lead Group A. Congo will host Sudan on
Wednesday in the other match in that group.
Meanwhile, a former Super Eagles coach
Christian Chukwu and a former England international John Fashanu have
expressed dismay at the unexpected loss Nigeria suffered against Congo
in Calabar.
“I’m very surprised that we lost to Congo at home,” the former Nigeria captain was quoted as saying by SL10.com.
“I really don’t know why, but we didn’t
play well and we weren’t good enough. We never really pushed them and we
didn’t even play like the home team. I’m shocked to say the least.”
But despite the loss, Chukwu said it wasn’t the time to trade blames.
“I understand that Nigerians aren’t
happy with the result but this is hardly the time for blame games,
because we cannot afford that now,” he said.
“We have to keep the focus, that’s what
the players should do now. The milk is spilt already, no need crying
over it. We must get our concentration right ahead of the next game.”
Fashanu rather blamed coach Keshi’s
tactics in the encounter, saying the team’s poor approach to the game
gave the visitors the unexpected victory.
“Stephen Keshi is one coach I admire a
lot, but his tactics in the first half, and the players he selected cost
Nigeria the game,” he told SL10.
“I understand the idea of resting
players because of the South Africa game, but leaving your best striker
(Emmanuel Emenike) out, and starting with a player (Uche Nwofor), who
strikes no fear into the minds of the opposition, was a gamble that
backfired.”
Fashanu added that Keshi must improve on
the team’s defence if Nigeria must qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of
Nations in Morocco.
“It’s not looking good at the moment,
but from what we saw in the second half, the Super Eagles are a good
side in attack. Defensively, however, there are so many issues.
“All the goals Congo scored are
avoidable with some simple basics, but they weren’t there, if we are to
be at the Nations Cup next year then a whole lot of work needs to be
done on the defense.”
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