Nigeria underrated us, Guinean artiste claims

One of the guests of the sponsors of the Total African Cup of Nations (AFCON), Guinean music icon, Soul Bang, said he was downcast that his country lost 0-1 to Nigeria in the Wednesday’s second Group B match fixture played at the Alexandria Stadium.

Bang was among the hordes of Guinean supporters, who overshadowed their Nigeria counterparts at the stadium with their drums and energetic dances, left the match venue a dejected man.

Reasons: He believed his country did not deserve to lose the encounter, which was rated as the toughest match in Alexandria.

He blamed Guinea’s coach for the loss, saying, “I am a little bit sad that Nigeria beat my team because we had a nice soccer, nice play. I think the most important thing right now for us is how it is going to be against Burundi.

“We really have to beat Burundi when we meet them. I still believe we can make it to the next round of the competition if we are able to achieve that.

“The clash was a great match, great football. From the way people were thinking, it was as if Nigeria was going to beat us with a wide margin. But I believe we have a team. But they need to fight on the field together.

“The question is when are we going to play in harmony? Playing together in harmony is the best thing for us right now,” he said.

The artist, whose new album is making waves back in his country, however, said, “The coach needs to understand there are some players, who are not supposed to be part of the team on the field. He needs to ask himself who are the players I am supposed to bring into the field.

“I think it is important we support the team to encourage the players so that at the end of the day everybody would have done their job.

“My job is to sing and I am here to support my team. I am disappointed and a little bit sad. I know it is football, but it is full of surprises too. Nigerians were not expecting what they saw today.

“We knew that Naby Keita wasn’t 100 per cent fit coming to this tournament. Though he is a great soccer player. It was important for him to be part of this game and inspire the rest of the players in the team,” he stated.