Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo has admitted that the three-time African champions lost the Africa Cup of Nations final due to the tactics employed by the coaching crew.
The Nigerian side were defeated 2-1 by the hosts, ending the team’s dreams of a fourth continental crown.
Speaking after the game in a video posted on the social media, Omeruo stated that the Eagles played too deeply while dealing with a barren attack against the host nation.
“I don’t know. I think it wasn’t our day. We couldn’t create a lot of chances and we played too deep.”
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The 2013 AFCON winner congratulated Ivory Coast but felt Nigeria’s shortcomings proved decisive before he revealed the mood in the Nigerian camp was one of deep disappointment.
“They (Super Eagles players) are sad, obviously,” he added. “It’s heartbreaking, they have worked hard and deserved to win this trophy but we’ve lost it.”
Looking ahead, the Turkey-based player stated: “For me, it’s back to my club, train and get ready for Friday’s game.”
Omeruo and Kasimpasa will host Fatih Karagumruk in a Super Lig encounter on Friday.
Meanwhile, Alex Iwobi has deleted photos from his Instagram page following Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast.
Hours after the encounter, Iwobi who has been a subject of stiff criticism from fans, deleted photos from his Instagram handle for fear of cyber abuse.
He only left one video post. The Fulham man also locked the comment section of the post for fear of bullying.
Iwobi featured for 79 minutes in Nigeria’s defeat to Ivory Coast and was replaced by Alhassan Yusuf.
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