PORT ELIZABETH — Former Nigerian captain Sunday Oliseh believes the Super Eagles may have blown their chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in South Africa.
Report by Supersport
Nigeria drew 1-1 against Burkina Faso in their opening game in Group C with the Stallions netting their equaliser in the final minute of added time.
Oliseh has now taken the time to voice his sentiments in the stalemate in Nelspruit.
“We were the architects of our own downfall. We were 10 against 11, but we kept on playing like we had 11 men on the pitch; kept attacking all the time and failed to close down the spaces,” Oliseh said on Supersport after the game.
The former Juventus midfielder further explained that head coach Stephen Keshi would have adopted a more cautious approach after Celtic defender, Efe Ambrose was shown the marching orders late on.
“We should have played with just one man upfront, but we didn’t and that’s why we did not win,” he said.
Nigeria will next face champions Zambia in their next preliminary game.
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Head coach of the Nigerian national team, Stephen Keshi, has heaped praises on his players following the team’s 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso in their opening game at the 2013 Afcon in South Africa on Monday.
Emmanuel Emenike opened the score in the 23rd minute, but Burkina Faso pegged the Eagles back with an equaliser at the death to put things evenly poised on a knife edge in Group C.
The “Big Boss” has now declared that he is proud of his players despite their failure to hold on to their slender lead which would have seen Nigeria assume top spot in the group.
“We are not going to let anything bring us down, trust me. I am very proud of the boys. They did everything that I wanted,” Keshi said.
