Algeria on Sunday night clipped the wings of the Super Eagles, defeating them 2-1 in the second semi-final match at the African Cup of Nations going on in Egypt.
The symbols of those technical wings are Ahmed Musa and Sam Chukwueze, who respectively brilliantly manned the left and right wings during the Eagles match against Cameroon.
Apparently having sensed the danger they could constitute, the Foxes of Algeria swarmed round them – especially Chukwueze – each time they wanted to spin any havoc.
The implication is that the midfield and the back had to labour harder, a situation that seemingly weighed them down in the first half of the match.
Meanwhile, fans and football lovers are heartbroken, as evident in comments by some in Osun State.
A cross section of the fans that spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo after the match on Sunday, said Nigeria had a good run but it was heartbreaking losing in the tournament the way Nigeria did to Algeria.
Femi Ogundele, a fan, said Nigeria would have been hopeful if the match extended to the extra times of the match, but Algeria scoring a free kick in the added time could be very painful.
“When a penalty was awarded in the 73rd minute, and we equalised, it gave us hope that Nigeria can still win the game, worse case, we will play extra time.
” But it is very devastating that it was just few seconds to the end of the added time that Nigeria conceded a goal from Algeria.
“I am so sad right now, thank God I have eaten dinner before the match, because I don’t know how I would be able to eat again after what just happened, so sad.” he said
Babatunde Ganiyu, a football analyst, in his own comment said Nigeria was just unlucky, couple with the fact that Algeria played better than the Super Eagles.
“Super Eagle played fantastic football but the Algerians dominated them towards the last minute and they were lucky to get the goal.
“In the first half, Nigeria defense was not tightly coordinated, though the midfield tried their best in term of marking but they failed to deliver good passes that could be converted to goal by the strikers.
” Our attacking force was not tight at all, you could imagine the Algerian goalkeeper in goal post without any pressure throughout the first half.
“It is so sad we didn’t make it to the final of the tournament, though we had a great run , I guess a consolation will be a third place.” he said
Ayoola Ajayi, in his own assessment of the game said Nigeria lacked good goalkeeper and that contributed to the loss.
“I was just telling my friend that I worry about Akpeyi and the last-minute conceding syndrome.
“I kept talking about Akpeyi, no one will listen to me; I have been following football for decades and I know Akpeyi cannot even be Nigeria’s 30th keeper.
“We went to Egypt with an unstable keeper; but the goal keeper should not only carry the blame, everybody in the team should share in the blame, the players, the coach, the technical, even NFF.
“Algeria dominated the game and their dominance and force led to their well deserved victory.
“How I wish Vincent Eyeama was in goal.., I know he would not concede such a heartbreaking goal,” he said.
