Nigeria drop crucial points Striker Victor Osimhen and head ccoach Eric Chelle embrace after their World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe ended in a 1-1 draw on Tuesday evening. Photo: Justin Aniefiok/BackpagePix
Image: Justin Aniefiok/BackpagePix
A Nigerian fan has ripped into the Super Eagles after they were held 1-1 by Zimbabwe in Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier in Uyo.
Nigeria went into the game hoping to keep up with Group C leaders South Africa, and looked like they were on their way to bagging the three points when star striker Victor Osimhen put them 1-0 up with 15 minutes left on the clock.
However, Tawanda Chirewa of Wolverhampton Wanderers popped up with a stoppage time equaliser to strike a blow to the home team’s World Cup hopes, breaking the hearts of Nigerians everywhere.
To make matters worse, South Africa beat Benin 2-0 in Abidjan to extend their lead at the top of Group C to five points.
The result was not taken well by one irate Nigerian fan, who tore into his team for what he perceived as a for their lack of effort against a Zimbabwe side that has very little to play for during the qualifiers.
“This stadium was packed. This stadium was singing. This stadium was full to the brim, and all they asked from the players was 90 minutes of passion and dedication. 90 minutes of being locked in. 90 minutes of fighting for the badge, and they did it for only 80 minutes,” the angry supporter said on the Football Fans Tribe YouTube page.
“It was a loss of concentration. They lost concentration and the motivation to attack. You praise the coach when the tactics work, and you have to blame him when they don’t work,” he carried on, taking issue with new coach Eric Chelle selecting players out of position.
“Why don’t you play the fullbacks in their natural positions so they can give the strikers the crosses that they need, not forcing [Ola] Aina to cross with his left foot. The left side was the only side that we could have used, but out wingers let us down.”
He carried on: “I feel bad for Osimhen. I feel bad for [Calvin] Bassey. I feel back for [Wilfred] Ndidi. I feel bad for [William] Troost-Ekong. I feel bad for [Stanley] Nwabali because they don’t deserve this result.
“They worked their a** off. They put the passion, blood, sweat and tears into this team, but yet, some other people just have to get onto their private jets go to their individual clubs and collect their money… If they don’t qualify for the World Cup, who will pay more? Is it the fans or it it them because the fans are doing their part and the players are not.
“We asked the fans to come fill up the stadium and they did. We asked them to shout and sing, and they did. All we asked [from them] is a win. And were not asking for it against hard competition. This is frikkin Zimbabwe. They are not qualifying for the World Cup. They are not playing for anything. You are paying for everything. Where was that spirit?”
IOL Sport