Coach Austin Eguavoen admits exiting the African Cup of Nations in the round of 16 was a bitter pill to swallow.
The Super Eagles emerged as the tournament favorite, after a brilliant start to the ongoing tournament in Cameroon.
The three-time African Champions qualified for the Round of 16 with a 100 percent record from the Group that includes record champions Egypt, Sudan, and debutant Guinea-Bissau.
However, the Eagles’ dream of lifting the trophy for the 4th time hit the rock in the round of 16 as they suffered a 1-0 to a depleted Tunisian side.
Speaking with the players and backroom staff before the team left Cameroon, Eguavoen stated that, the elimination was a sad one, but advised the players to ignore negative reactions from the fans, behind them and focus on the challenges ahead, which is the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
“It is a bitter pill to swallow no doubt about it but human beings propose and God dispossess,” he said in a video posted on NFF TV on Monday afternoon.
“We were striving for something but we couldn’t get it. It’s one of those in life. It’s very painful to exit the tournament in the Round of 16 with the calibre of players that we have.”
“So a lot was expected and we couldn’t meet the expectations. Not their expectations because first of all you first which is important, we couldn’t meet our expectations which is okay, it happens football.”
“But I want you to continue to believe in yourselves because you still have a whole lot of job to do for yourselves and the nation. The World Cup qualifier is close, the quicker we take this off our mind the better for everybody.”
“So whenever any of us is called upon please do not hesitate. There will be some negative words from social media but it is normal it is the way they feel, the spur of the moment it’s emotions one game can change the whole situation. l know it’s difficult to take but please let us try.” He concluded.
Next for the Super Eagles is the final phase of the Qatar 2022 World Cup against the Black Stars of Ghana in March.
