Super Eagles’ defender Kenneth Omeruo has candidly attributed the team’s loss in the Africa Cup of Nations final to the tactical decisions made by the coaching staff. The three-time African champions suffered a 2-1 defeat against the hosts, shattering their aspirations of clinching a fourth continental crown.
In a post-match video shared on social media, Omeruo expressed his analysis of the game, highlighting that the Nigerian side grappled with a defensive approach and struggled to mount a potent offense against the host nation. “I don’t know. I think it wasn’t our day. We couldn’t create a lot of chances and we played too deep,” remarked Omeruo.
Despite extending congratulations to Ivory Coast for their victory, Omeruo emphasized that Nigeria’s tactical limitations played a pivotal role in the outcome. He revealed the prevailing sentiment within the Nigerian camp as one of profound disappointment. “They (Super Eagles players) are sad, obviously. It’s heartbreaking, they have worked hard and deserved to win this trophy but we’ve lost it,” he added.
Looking forward, Omeruo, who plies his trade in Turkey, expressed his commitment to regrouping with his club and preparing for upcoming fixtures. “For me, it’s back to my club, train and get ready for Friday’s game,” he stated.
In a parallel development, Nigerian midfielder Alex Iwobi has taken preemptive action on his social media accounts following the team’s defeat. Iwobi, who has faced substantial criticism from fans, notably deleted photos from his Instagram page in anticipation of potential cyber abuse. Hours after the match, his Instagram handle reflected the removal of the images, reflecting the intense scrutiny faced by players in the aftermath of significant losses.
