Flying Eagles coach, Emmanuel Amunike, says he is “disappointed” after his team slipped to a disappointing 4-3 defeat at home to Sudan on Saturday.
Nigeria thus failed to qualify for the 20th edition of the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations on away goal rule despite winning 2-1 a fortnight ago in Khartoum.
And Amunike, who led 80 percent of this present team to the FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy in Chile last year, expressed his disbelief and shock at the outcome of the game.
“We are all disappointed and the truth of the matter is that we are not able to qualify to Zambia and everybody is disappointed,” an utterly dejected Amunike stated.
“The players are disappointed and Nigerians are disappointed. I personally I’m disappointed for the fact that a lot of Nigerians came to support us and to see their team but unfortunately we are not in the position to make them happy.
“We are all sad but life has to move on, this is football.”
The former Barcelona forward revealed he had warned his wards about the tricky Sudanese players who meant business.
And despite several howlers from Nigeria goalkeeper, Akpan Udo, Amunike insists it’s a collective poor showing by his team.
“Since we came back from Sudan, I’ve been saying it that it’s not going to be an easy game because in Sudan we were aware that they are a very good side and today they came here also to win.
“Unfortunately for us we conceded goals that should not happen but of course the goalkeeper was not at his best today but this is a goalkeeper that has served the nation, that has won laurels.
“All the same, it’s not really about the goalkeeper, it’s a collective effort. The team today were not at their best. When we were leading we were not able to manage to our own advantage, we conceded some easy goals that ought not to happen. That is football; we assume the responsibility and look forward.”
