Nigerian Legend reacts to Super Eagles AFCON exit, blames loss on poor tactics

Nigerian Legend reacts to Super Eagles AFCON exit, blames loss on poor tactics

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:54 PM
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A. A. Okocha
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  • Austin Okocha says the Tunisians outsmarted the Super Eagles tactically in Sunday’s AFCON Round of 16 game
  • The Super Eagles were eliminated from the AFCON after losing 1-0 to the North Africans in the Round of 16
  • Nigeria were tagged favourites ahead of the fixture after a brilliant group stage where they won every game as opposed to Tunisia who were one of the 3rd best-placed team

Nigeria Legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha has hyped praise on the Tunisian technical crew as he believes they outsmarted the Nigerian bench in the AFCON Round of 16 encounter saw the North Africans progress to the Quarter-finals.

The Carthage Eagles defeated Nigeria 1-0 to progress to the quarter-finals after Youssef Msakni long-range effort blasted past Maduka Okoye in goal with the Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper caught napping.

The Tunisians will now face Burkina Faso in the next round while the Super Eagles pack their bags and return home with interim coach Austine Eguavoen now set to relinquish his position to newly appointed Portuguese gaffer Jose Poseiro.

Nigeria Legend reacts to Super Eagles AFCON exit, blames loss on poor tactics
Austin Jay-Jay Okocha says Nigeria's AFCON Round of 16 loss against Tunisia should be a lesson. Photo by Sydney Seshibedi
Source: Getty Images

Meanwhile reacting to Nigeria’s loss as reported by Complete Sports, former midfielder Austin Jay Jay Okocha praised the Tunisian bench for their tactics on the night but says the loss should be a lesson to Nigeria and its football supporters.

“It’s a disappointing night for us, but we have to say congratulations to Tunisia. Well deserved victory. I think they outsmarted us tonight tactically.
“They came with a good game plan and they executed it. And you know, it’s a lesson to every football lover. Football is always the winner…a game has to be played first.
“We didn’t do enough to win this match and we were taught a life lesson today. So, we just have to pick ourselves up, find positives and build from there.”

The Super Eagles next task will be the World Cup playoffs against arch-rivals Ghana as both West African nations were on Saturday, January 22 pitted against each other for a sole ticket to the World Cup in Qatar.

Ghanaians troll Nigeria after AFCON elimination following Tunisia defeat

Earlier Sportsbrief reported Ghanaians are celebrating the elimination of Nigeria from the Africa Cup of Nations after their last 16 defeat to Tunisia at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles were gunned down 1-0 by the Carthage Eagles at the round of 16, ending their flamboyant campaign at the tournament.

Ghana failed to make it out of the group stage of the competition while Nigeria exited at the Round of 16.

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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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