Former Wimbledon striker, John Fashanu says playing as a unit in the Super Eagles has helped the team overcome Sudan in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Fashanu stated this during AFCON Coverage on AIT, where he commended the dominant display of the senior national team against Sudan.
Goals from Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi and Moses Simon was enough to seal the three points for Nigeria.
He said, “Super Eagles played as a team. They dominated for 90 minutes and they show they want to win.
“I am very confident with the team and I know they will go far at the tournament.”
The team will face Guinea-Bissau in the last Group D game of the competition on Wednesday.
22 Comments
Big congrats to the SE for defeating Ref Gomez and Sudan.
Beating Sudan alone was never going to be easy. The ref’s pathetic display made the game even tougher for our lads.
Dubious calls at critical moments of the game. Musa pulled back, when he should have been allowed to progress based on the advantage rule. Iwobi’s goal disallowed, for reasons only Gomez can explain. Simon upended outside the Sudan box late in the game, and the ref doesn’t bat an eyelid. And so on. And to cap it all, a super soft penalty awarded to Sudan out of nothing. English commentators usually don’t support Nigeria in football matches, but the one running commentaries on the feed I watched was outraged by the penalty. I was surprised at his anger. I wasn’t expecting the Englishman to be so miffed and be defending Nigeria’s cause with such vigour, and of course, he was right! He raged on about how soft and “out of nowhere” the penalty was. Ref Gomez pulled a rabbit out of his backside with that one.
If the Sudanese had any dignity, they should have refused that beggarly penalty.
I think Nigeria should petition CAF to have Gomez investigated. He should be given a chance to defend some of his decisions today. We don’t need refs like that ruining the beautiful game for us.
I agree with you.To make matters worse, he gave yellow card to Aina when the Sudanese lads committed fouls that should have earned them yellow cards.
It was unbelievable, really!
That referee’s Brian need to be checked.
Still trying to figure out why Iwobi’s goal was disallowed. Don’t know whether it was VAR that ruled against it. That said I think Egu is very flexible with his tactics quite unlike his predecessor. Started out with 424 to over load the opponents area and it paid, then switched to 433. If he can get to the final then no need to bring in any alien.
I don’t think the South African referee was bad o. Infact he even favored us, at least he was balance in his judgement. That penalty was the right call. You don’t deliberately or unknowingly step on someone’s foot. It’s a penalty. So I really don’t know the complaints of oppression here. I’m talking of 4he Nigeria vs Sudan match.
Thankfully, there were classic moments to overshadow the ref’s bias, like Moses Simon’s goal…mehn! The way he breezed past those defenders was pure class.
Bro it doesn’t matter Nigeria won after every thing and that is the most important thing. To say the officiating was bad is what I totally disagree. Firstly, the iwobi goal does not count because the play had already been halted after a foul on a Sudanese player which was a correct call because it really a foul. About the penalty it is dicy but I thought it was the video assistant people that call the attention of the referee and after reviewing it was awarded which that was clear sign that Aina actually did something funny even if it look kind of soft but why would he have commited such a foul inside the box? I think you should have cushion Aina against such act in subsequent matches in all good game with 3 point in the bag now 5 more to go Egu is really doing wonder loo it’s coming home
No need to be bias. It’s a clear penalty. Why would he step and stand on opponent leg inside your box. It doesn’t make sense and to make the matter worse, the Sudan player is not near a goal threat area at all. He stood on the guy leg and even pull his jersey thereby preventing him from moving. He should be warned against such act going forward to avoid such kind of gift penalty.
I totally disagree with the suggestion that Aina was at fault. This is football, a contact sport. Aina did not intentionally step on the Sudan player’s foot, and the contact was very minimal. The Sudan player made a meal of it. Look at the way he fell backwards after Aina stepped on him. He fell as if he had been hit with a sledge hammer. Instead of apportioning unfair blame on Aina, the culprits here are the gullible (or corrupt) ref and the dishonest Sudanese player.
As I mentioned earlier, even the English commentator on the feed I watched went ballistic over that penalty. He sounded like he was about to jump out of his own skin. He was so angry! And rightly so. Substandard refereeing like this makes a mockery of the game.
Ref Gomez had a poor outing today. Awful job. Even without the penalty, he made several calls that just smacked of poor judgment.
I think the reason it was given was for the tug on the jersey. In modern day football, you can not do that.
The penalty was justified. VAR confirmed that.
If Aina is deemed to have fouled that player, then defenders are in trouble. Because every tiny contact with the opposing striker would be a penalty.
In fact, if a defender looks at a striker the wrong way, a ref like Gomez will point to the spot, looooool!
I’m not being biased. To call me biased is ridiculous and nonsensical. We all watched the game. Some of us played the game when we were younger. That was a soft, soft penalty. You can take that to the bank!
VAR doesn’t confirm or deny anything. It’s simply video evidence. It’s the ref that interprets what he sees in the video feed.
If the ref sees a dog in the video, and calls it a cat, it’s the wrong call. The fact that he checked VAR doesn’t make it right.
SE made a light work of Sudan today and they made it look so easy…….We can not ask for more from this boys…….They have totally exceeded my expectations so far and no matter the outcome of the tournament Eguaveon has earned my respect……..He has brought confidence and motivation into the team…….this players have been dieing in silence before now and they needed someone to unleash them……..They needed freedom to express themselves and Eguaveon gladly gave them exactly that hence what we are seeing today……..i have a feeling that this team is not done yet with surprising us and they have more in their locker………The bigger the opponent the more ruthless they will be and they look like they are already bored by the opposition thrown at them so far.
Aina tucked on the Sudanese’s Jersey. That in itself may have been overlooked but he DELIBERATELY stomped on the player’s boot with the ball not anywhere near. If that had happened outside the box it would be called a foul. A foul inside the box is a penalty. If we were leading 1.0 and that incident, which was totally unnecessary had happened, we all will be seething with rage now.
No, Aina did not deliberately step on the Sudan player’s foot. Not in a million years.
I just watched the highlights again. Aina was looking in the ball’s direction, away from the player, when he made contact. The contact was purely an accident.
Agreed, Aina had his hands on the player, but if you look at the highlights, it is clear that THE PLAYER ALSO HAD HIS HANDS ON AINA. There was some pushing and/or shoving from both players, but it was minimal. Just 2 players trying to get in a good position. That’s normal football contact. Never a foul or a penalty.
See the highlights. From 7:41.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mjC-8Vcwsg
The way the Sudan player fell backwards was disingenuous, to say the least. It was a fine theatrical performance by that player, Oscar worthy. The ref should have seen thru that. And what made it more curious was that he checked VAR!
Goal for Egypt! Mo Salah!
Not quite sure why people are arguing about the penalty, it was clear. How Aina didn’t notice he was stepped on someone’s toes is beyond me. Some may argue that the victim wasn’t in the position to score but you’ll never know. It’s penalty for me.
By the way, I agree with Fashonu. They Eagles now play as a unit with great understanding. Not much talking and yelling. The cohesion I Crystal-clear.
Super Eagles has four goals so far, all goals were scored by different players. That’s a sign of great strength. It means anyone can score; including Aina, Omeruo or Ekong. This team is balanced. Nobody’s does big-boy on the pitch. They all seem to cover spaces and press the opponents.
I’m happy Awoniyi scored and the delivery came from Iheanacho, his twin (from another mother) lol. I wanted him to score a brace or hattrick, the guy is a nice guy. He should’ve done better with that Iheanacho’s pass though. He didn’t have a clean-connection with his pass.
Congrats the Moses Simon for MOTM award but he should leave set-piece delivery to Iheanacho. He had a fantastic game as well.
Aribo na better player, he’s equally worthy of MOTM.
Nwakali didn’t do much, just passing back and keeping it simple. He should be more adventurous in passing.
Must did well.
I’m still waiting for Sadiq to show his prime-R9 qualities. I hope Eguaveon starts him for the last game.
Congrats to coach Eguaveon, the Antonio Conte of Africa.
Watch the video I posted from 7:41.
If you still feel it’s a clear cut penalty, then no qualms.
We agree to disagree on this one.
GB have equalized! Egypt fans shell shocked!
Fantastic goal by GB.
GB goal disallowed. Wooow!