Nigeria’s Nightmare Continues: Super Eagles Apologize After Shock Defeat to Sudan
Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations took another severe blow on Saturday as the Super Eagles suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Sudan in Khartoum. With just one point from three matches, the reigning African champions now sit bottom of Group A, and their qualification campaign is in serious jeopardy.
The pressure is mounting on head coach Stephen Keshi, who faced the wrath of fans following the disappointing result. Speaking after the match, Keshi offered a heartfelt apology:
“I will ask you (the press) to help me apologize to the fans for this defeat because they had confidence in the team but they were disappointed. It is a bad day for us because we had several chances to kill this match but none went into the back of the net. I ask for your forgiveness and promise that on Wednesday we will bounce back.”
This marked an unusual move from the former Togo and Mali coach, who admitted it was the first time in his career he had been forced to make such a public appeal.
Captain Vincent Enyeama echoed the coach’s remorse:
“We didn’t go to Sudan to lose, but that’s what happened. On behalf of my teammates, we apologize to everyone.”
Nigeria now has a chance at redemption when they host Sudan on Wednesday, in what will be a make-or-break encounter for their qualifying ambitions. Anything short of victory could seal an early and dramatic exit for the Super Eagles.
