Super Eagles Defender Kenneth Omeruo Speaks About Tunisia’s Goal That Knocked Nigeria Out of AFCON 2021

• Kenneth Omeruo says any goalkeeper could have conceded the goal that sent Nigeria out of the ongoing AFCON tournament
• Maduka Okoye could only parry Youssef Msakni’s long-range effort into his own net as Tunisia cruised to the quarter-final
• Some Nigerians have continued to single out Okoye for the defeat, but Omeruo has cautioned them, saying it was a good strike

Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo has urged Nigerians not to blame goalkeeper Maduka Okoye for the goal that saw Nigeria crash out of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

A long-range effort by Youssef Msakni in the 46th minute was all Tunisia needed to knock Nigeria out of the competition in the Round of 16.

Okoye who was in goal in that encounter could only parry that shot into his own net; as it went bad to worse for the Super Eagles after Alex Iwobi was sent off following a dangerous tackle.

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Omeruo defends Okoye

Omeruo has now leapt to the defence of Okoye stating that any goalkeeper could concede that goal.

The defender told BBC Sport:

“He is not feeling fine right now but you know I said to him ‘Listen you’ve been amazing. It’s been a good tournament for you’.

“Anybody can be beaten by that goal. It’s a good strike and also it wasn’t a clear situation, because we the defenders were in front of him as well, so that would distract his view as well.

“I wouldn’t say that goal was his fault at all, you know and one thing I do after such tournaments is I delete my social media, because you find people who, some of them, don’t even know football.

“There is just anger because we are Nigerians and we want to win every game.”

Iwobi tenders apology to Nigerians

Meanwhile, Alex Iwobi has tendered an apology to Nigerians after the Super Eagles were knocked out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

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The three-time African Champions were bundled out of the competition as they lost 1-0 to North African giants Tunisia in the Round of 16.

Alex Iwobi was sent off just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute for Kelechi Iheanacho, but received his marching orders after his yellow card for a challenge on Youssef Msakni was upgraded to red after a VAR check.

Ahmed Musa promises better Super Eagles’ outing

SportsBrief earlier reported that Ahmed Musa has thanked Nigerians for the show of love despite that the team failed to go past the Round of 16 at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon.

Ahmed Musa who was not in action during the 1-0 loss to Tunisia stated that the team gave their very best, but it turned the other way round.

Musa says the team will do better next time as the Super Eagles will now prepare for the World Cup qualifying playoffs against Ghana in March.