Adepoju expresses satisfaction over S’Eagles performance

I am not happy with the result, says Onigbinde
Former Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju, has expressed satisfaction over Eagles performance against the Pharaohs of Egypt in Friday’s AFCON qualifier that ended in a disappointing draw played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

The Eagles had given the nation hope with a goal scored by Oghenekaro Etebo in the 59th minute, which was cancelled in a stoppage time by AS Roma striker, Mohammed Salah, thereby making the task of a qualification for the AFCON, scheduled for Gabon next year a difficult one.

Speaking to The Guardian yesterday, Adepoju said he was impressed with what he saw in the Eagles against the Pharaohs, especially in the second half. “The second half was a nice one, an improvement over the first half. It was very good because we created several chances. If we had scored in the few chances that we had there would have been no point talking about the match in Kaduna, rather concentration would have shifted to the one in Alexandra.”

When asked what might have gone wrong in a match everyone expected the Eagles to have won, he said: “If not for the defence that went to sleep in the dying minutes of the match, we would have been celebrating now. We need to have a stronger defence if we are to succeed in Egypt. Concentration was also lacking in the defence; I believe we have the players that can do it and make us qualify for the Nations Cup,” he said.

Also giving his opinion was former coach of the team, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde. The former CAF and FIFA instructor expressed his displeasure over the draw the Eagles played with the Egyptians. “I am not happy with the draw we played with the Pharaohs. I am not happy at all,” he said.

Asked to point out the grey areas the coach Siasia-led Eagles need to work on for a better result in Alexandra, the Modakeke High chief declined comments, saying “Why would I proffer solution when NFF have not asked me to do so. My opinion does not matter here when I have not been asked,” he concluded.

The team is expected to leave for Egypt tomorrow for the make or mar tie on Tuesday schedule for Alexandra. The Pharaohs currently sit on top of Group G with seven points, while Nigeria is second with five points. A defeat in Egypt may signal an end of qualification for AFCON, which the Eagles failed to qualify for at last edition in Equatorial Guinea.