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.
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. Continue...
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 defence.”
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