A Nigerian football coach based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Emmanuel Ndubuisi Odidika has slammed all players in the Super Eagles for what he described as their poor show during Tuesday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away to Guinea-Bissau.
Sports247 reports that, while taking another look at the encounter, which the Nigerians lost 3-0 at 24 September Stadium in Bissau, Odidika posited that the players not only disappointed their fans, but they also let the country down with the poor result.
Odidika added that, apart from the poor result that emerged after the final whistle, the players also lacked any fighting spirit or zeal for victory during the encounter, with a verdict that they prosecuted the game lackadaisically, as if nothing was at stake.
“To be honest, the players let the entire country down. Not just with the result, but with the performance. The whole team failed to represent the country with pride. Even if it was a friendly match, you should never lose in such a manner.
“They played as if nothing was at stake. There was no determination, no effort. The players could not even run. They allowed the Guinea-Bissau defence to build up easily without putting them under pressure to force mistakes.
“They had a few chances but missed them reluctantly. From start to finish, only the opponent was fighting for every ball and, at the end, it paid off. Our players are too proud of themselves. They think they are big players in Europe, but they failed to show it on the pitch.”
Odidika went on to point out some facts of modern day football, which he said the Eagles have to understanhd fully in order to regain the glory that Nigeria had with the golden generation that debuted at the World Cup in 1994 and won the Olympic Games in 1996.
“Football has no respect for big names. One thing this crop of players fails to understand is that playing in Africa is totally different from playing for your club in Europe. Our players were too relaxed and reluctant, while Guinea-Bissau’s were very aggressive.
“They fought not to lose in front of their fans. The pitch might be bad, but their players are more physical and aggressive. That was the major reason we lost. Losing games is killing our national pride, especially losing in such a manner.
“The pitch should not be an excuse, because Guinea-Bissau played on the same pitch. Even against Madagascar, must we always concede first before trying to come from behind? This is how they started the World Cup qualifiers very poorly,” Odidika recalled.
He concluded by charging the players to wake up from slumber and work harder in all their subsequent games in order to avoid missing the 2027 AFCON, which will be the first time the competition will be staged in East Africa and co-hosted by three countries.
“As a coach, I don’t blame any team for losing, which is one of the three results in football. But there is a difference between a team that plays well and loses, and a team that loses because it shows no seriousness, aggression or commitment.
“My point is simple: This team lacks the required aggression and physicality to play African football. This team is not serious and does not represent the Super Eagles we used to know. No matter how tactical or technical you are, if you are not aggressive, you will be bullied and you will lose.
“I watched Zimbabwe vs DR Congo, Lesotho vs Morocco, and Ghana vs Gambia. You could see the teams that really wanted to win and what it takes to win. With the way the Super Eagles played, they cannot achieve anything,” Odidika stressed.
