AFCON Final: Ex Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr Identifies One Reason Why Nigeria Lost vs Ivory Coast

• The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations came to a close with a clash between Nigeria and Ivory Coast
• The tournament hosts sealed a remarkable second-half comeback win over the Super Eagles
• A former Nigerian coach has identified a reason for the Super Eagles' loss against the Ivorians

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) reached its pinnacle with an electrifying final showdown between Nigeria's Super Eagles and host nation, Ivory Coast, at the Stade Alassane Ouattara.

This high-stakes clash was filled with a flurry of goal-mouth actions and heart-stopping moments. However, it was ultimately settled by a remarkable second-half performance from the host nation, highlighted by goals from midfielder, Franck Kessie, and striker, Sebastien Haller.

In the aftermath of this thrilling encounter, former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, has pinpointed a key factor behind Nigeria's loss to Ivory Coast.

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Why Nigeria lost against Ivory Coast

The 70-year-old German tactician, who guided the Nigerian team to a Bronze medal at the 2019 AFCON, highlighted a crucial factor in Nigeria's failure to overcome Ivory Coast.

In a discussion with media outlet OwnGoalNigeria, the seasoned coach remarked,

"[Moses] Simon, I learned from the 2019 AFCON semi-finals not to bench Simon in big games. That's why he played every match in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers when I was in charge. However, you can never predict the coach's decisions, and his absence might have been a key factor."

Expressing his sentiments further, he added, "I am disappointed that my former team lost, but I urge them to take pride in their achievements at the tournament."

The words of the Benin Republic manager, resonate with many Nigerians who were puzzled by Jose Peseiro's choice to exclude the dynamic Nantes attacker from the starting lineup.

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Despite this setback, Nigerians are hopeful that the team can build on their recent AFCON performance and channel the same determination towards qualifying for the upcoming World Cup.

Ahmed Musa breaks silence following AFCON loss

Sports Brief in another report stated that the captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Ahmed Musa, has spoken following the team’s AFCON defeat against Ivory Coast.

The 31-year-old forward touched on the unity within the team, further thanking the fans for their unwavering support and calling for them to continue to rally behind their team.

The Sivasspor forward also emphasised how the Super Eagles' performance brought unity to the nation.