Credit: Getty images
Poor preparation, bungled flight arrangements and a little bit of hard luck were all contributing factors to Nigeria’s ouster from the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup according to Sand Eagles Pivot, Abu Azeez.
Nigeria failed to progress past the first round, the third time in the Country’s 5 world cup appearances, but for Azeez off the field factors hurt the team’s chances more.
Audu Adamu‘s side did not get the best preparation in the months leading to the event.
According to Azeez, the team barely had time to bond and so had to rely more on experience rather than the few days spent in their Badagry camp.
Similarly, there were hitches in the team’s travelling plans.
Earlier, Some players were denied transit visas by the US Embassy which may have forced the Nigeria Football Federation too arrange their flight plans in batches.
The 23-year-old , who is currently a free agent, revealed that some players arrived Bahamas only a few hours before the kick off against Italy.
Dem say dem give nigeria 9points
Haha……. omo boys burst people ticket— IG »»» officialzeez (@iamzeezaga) May 2, 2017
Nigeria lost to 2-1 on penalties to Iran after 4-4 regulation scoreline.
The Sand Eagles showed a little glimmer of hope after the 12-6 defeat to Italy. They recovered against Mexico , beating the CONCACAF representative 5-4 after overtime.
Needing full points against Iran to book a quarter-final spot, the Eagles were pegged at 4-4 by the Iranians on teh death to force the game into shoot-outs.
In the ensuing, nervy penalties, Nigeria lost two out of three spot kicks to hand Iran, who converted 2 of theirs, passage to the next round.
