Nigeria failed to make it to the finals of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt after losing to Algeria 2-1 in the semifinal. Last minute strike from Riyad Mahrez gave the Desert Foxes the deserved win over the Super Eagles. Algeria will now face Senegal in the final while Nigeria will fight for the third position with the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.
After the game, it was discovered that one of the Super Eagles star failed to follow the instruction given by Gernot Rohr. Speaking at the press conference before the game, Kenneth Omeruo told reporters that the German coach told them one important thing ahead of the clash which Wilfred Ndidi failed to take heed to.
“One thing my coach has said over and over again is no fouls especially around the box because we have conceded two goals from these free-kicks and they are just easy free-kicks, so I think the best way is to stay focused. ”We know they are quick players and we are also quick as well, so we have to be very careful and make sure there are no contacts especially around the 18-yard box.
”It is football, it happens everywhere, attackers try to cheat, they try to fall down to get foul but the best way is to stay smart and think ahead before them”.
Ndidi, who clumsily conceded a foul near the 18-yard box in the closing minutes of the added time gave the Les Fennecs the last chance of the game which was duly converted by his former teammates at Leicester City Mahrez.
In the other news, Daniel Akpeyi who was tagged as the scapegoat by Nigerian fans for the last minute goal conceded by Super Eagles reacted after the game. The former Chippa United goalkeeper was trending after the match on social media for the wrong reason with many Super Eagles fans questioning his pedigree and wishes he could turn back the hands of time to prevent the goal.
Speaking after Sunday evening’s clash with Algeria, Akpeyi said : ”It is very tough, it is very sad that we have to lose in such a manner and I was beaten by that kind of free-kick, it’s something that I wish I can replay but it is over now.”
Rohr took a relatively inexperienced squad to Egypt and Akpeyi thinks they have done well under the circumstances as he believed that the team tried compared to what some fans are saying.
”It doesn’t matter whatever anyone will say about the team, these players have actually tried, a lot of teams have been knocked out of the tournament but the Nigeria team is still here. ”We have young talents so I am very sure if this team can be given a chance we’ll be able to fix things together. So far we have done well,” he concluded.
Akpeyi conceded five goals at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in matches against Cameroon (2), South Africa and Algeria (2) while he posted two shutouts in his first two games against Burundi and Guinea.
Will blame Ndidi for conceding that foul in the last minute despite instruction from Rohr not to concede a freekick close to the 18 yard box? Share your view on this in the comment section below… Thanks
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