Eagles looked like school kids — Ezeugo

Former internationals, Emeka Ezeugo and Edema Fuludu have voiced their disappointments over the Super Eagles outing in their opening South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations game against Burkina Faso on Monday.

The Eagles conceded a late Alain Traore goal in added time to tie score 1-1 after Emmanuel Emenike’s first half goal had put the Nigerians in the lead.

“Organisation wise, they (Eagles) were lacking. They looked like primary school kids; they were just elementary. Burkina Faso could have nailed them with two dead ball situations but they too didn’t take their chances,” the USA ’94 World Cup Eagles midfielder said.

“I didn’t see any leader in the team. You could say it was their first game but they have to ensure that they pick up maximum points in their next match.”

Also, Fuludu, a 1994 winner of the Nations Cup, said the lack of a true leader contributed to the outcome of Monday’s match.

He said, “Our defence was poor and (Joseph) Yobo didn’t take command of the team. We were lucky Nosa Igiebor  was not also given a red card.

“We were naïve; with just 30 seconds to go we should have kept the ball with 10 men. They didn’t have to be told by the coach because they are professionals.”

Another ex-international, Friday Ekpo, said, “Thank God that we didn’t lose the game because the team didn’t play as a unit. We couldn’t keep the ball for two minutes.”

The former Shell of Gabon midfielder, who helped Nigeria to a third-place finish at Senegal ’92, however says the exclusion of experienced players like Osaze Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins and Taye Taiwo by coach Stephen Keshi didn’t cost the Eagles dearly in their opening game.

“The players in the present squad are equally good. Everyone cannot make the team at the same time. The coach has selected his team and we must respect that.”

Nigeria’s goalkeeper at the 1976 Nations Cup, Joe Erico, said sloppy defending spoilt Eagles’ fun.

“We shouldn’t take teams for granted. If you are careless, you get punished for it and that was what happened on Monday,” Erico said.

Punch Nigeria