Super Eagles Played Below Standard, Says Eguavoen

Super Eagles coach, Augustine Eguavoen, said his team played below standard as he was not happy after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Rwanda in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwuze opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 59th minute, but Rwanda equalised  through Samuel Marie in the 72nd minute. Then three (3) minutes later, the Nigerians were stunned when Rwanda’s Innocent Nshuti fired the hosts ahead to secure all three points for the visitors.

Eguavoen who spoke after the match on Monday, said it was a sad day for the team to lose to Rwanda in Uyo, as he  had strategised to win the match. However, he expressed confidence in the ability of his players as football is all about winning, losing or drawing.

“Below standard, I feel very sad right now. It was not what we planned for,” Eguavoen said. “We scored and then against the run of play we conceded and I tried to change formation but it didn’t work.”

“We conceded a second goal, we changed the game formation, brought in two strikers and it just didn’t work. Football is about winning, losing or drawing. I think we have a strong squad but it just didn’t happen for us today. But I still very much believe in this team,” he added.

• Read more: Rwanda Stuns Super Eagles In Uyo

Also speaking after the match, Rwanda Coach, Torsten Spittler said he was proud of his boys as they played according to instructions.

Spitter expressed happiness for defeating the Super Eagles on Nigerian soil, adding that he told his boys to frustrate the Super Eagles by playing their best.

“I’m very proud of my boys, how they played here in Nigeria. I think it was well deserved. We defended well and played good football,” Splitter said.

“Maybe today is our lucky day and a happy day for us, even though we have not qualified for the AFCON, but I think we are happy to have come here and get three points.”

“We gave them a hard time from the beginning, you could see in the faces of Nigerian players that they didn’t enjoy this evening,” he added.

In spite the defeat, the Super Eagles topped the group with 11 points from 6 games to qualify for the AFCON scheduled for Morocco in 2025