The President General, Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Rafiu Ladipo, is still reflecting on Nigeria’s loss to Cote D’Ivoire in the recent Africa Cup of Nations.
He said former Coach Jose Peseiro did his best but identified intimidations by the hosts as one of the problems Nigeria face each time they clash.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Ladipo said:
“I was not particular about Nigeria winning the AFCON, knowing that the host nation is hostile towards us.
”In my over 50 years experience, I could remember during 1993 World Cup qualifiers when Rashidi Yekini scored against the Ivorians they beat us up and we had to take refuge at the Nigerian embassy,” he said.
Ladipo added, ”Playing against a host nation like Ivory Coast is tough, because of lots of intimidation and harassment.
”Aside this, the Ivorians are more patriotic than us; while they were in the stadium, they all wore the replica of their national team jersey including their President, different from our practice in Nigeria.
”In Nigeria, what we do wear is the replica of another club’s jersey like Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and rest of them.”
Ladipo also noted that the Super Eagles did not play up to their best in the final because fatigue had set in and they were tired.
”Also, Peseiro made some technical errors. Going forward we need to hold on to the present Super Eagles squad.
”They should be kept together because we have World Cup qualifiers ahead.
”Nigeria needs to learn her lessons from what had happened in the past and ensure a formidable team ahead of the next competition,” he said.
