2014 W/Cup: Nigerians Divided Over S’ Eagles

Nigerian football fans have been sharply divided over the performance of the Super Eagles in Brazil following their disappointing elimination on Monday by Les Bleus of France in the Round of 16 of the 2014 FIIFA World Cup.
While some fans believed that the Eagles performed creditably, others said that they disappointed Nigerians, especially, by losing out 2-0 to a French team that they had every opportunity to have beaten.
A section of the fans that spoke to Tidesports noted that even though the players gave a good fight, the team did not look organized. They lacked technical and tactical depth.
A sports analyst, Ebere Okechukwu said, “we started well against France, but the tactical approach of the coach was not impressive. “He was clueless and confused.
Going forward, I don’t think that Stephen Keshi  is the guy for this team. But first and foremost, we must put our house in order before aspiring for greater heights in the World Cup.
Another Nigerian, Ernest Frank blamed Keshi for the team’s failure. He said, “Nigeria did not lose the game because of lack of quality players but rather, becuse of the coach.  Keshi needs to go back to coaching school”.
A Sports Journalist, Cecilia Omoregbe said that keeper Vincent Enyeama should be thanked for saving Nigeria from conceding a bastket full of goals at the World Cup.
Mikel Obi, Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses were identified as major disappointments in the team, while Enyeama, Ogenyi Onazi and Michael Babatunde were the brightest lights.
However, according to Lucky Esu, who did not expect the Super Eagles to have gone beyond the group stage,
“The team played beyond expectations, they game a good account of themselves and were only unlucky to have a goal ruled out and lost late in the game”.
A businessman, Dele Adewole said that football was unpredictable as the Eagles surprisingly dominated play, especially, in the first half but did not make use of their opportunities.
“Football is just unpredicatable, though we lost the match, the Stephen Keshi led side demonstrated great potentials, but the lesson from the match is never to take your eyes off the ball until the final whistle is blown”.
Nigeria after an impressive opening to the game against France lost out to a 79th minute Paul Pogba goal and late own goal by Joseph Yobo to fail to break the jinx of getting beyond the round of 16 since her debut appearance in USA 1994 World Cup.

`Paul Pogba of France (1st right) scoring the goal that deflated Super Eagles in the round of 16 World Cup match on Monday