Former French World Cup winner Marcel Desailly has stated in clear terms that their inability to push France to the limit caused the Eagles a place in the quarter-finals of the on going World Cup.
Desailly who was a guest analyst on Supersport noted that the Stephen Keshi led side lost concentration and lack the tactical discipline to curtail the Les Bleus for the entire duration of the encounter after France marched through to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Nigeria in Brasilia.
“They didn’t pay attention to small details during the game. They showed lots of threats going forward but they could not stand up in defence which was their Achilles heel.”
He also added that Eagles were dangerous attacking during the encounter but lacked the same attribute defending.
“But the French side where full of concentration, well organise and they made the difference,”
“We had seven players every time behind the ball to complement the defenders. Which was an amazing block.
“The Nigerian side could only attack and could not defend which was not good enough,”
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COMMENTS
LOOK AT THIS BASTARD TALKING!
IS YOUR FATHER OR MOTHER A FRENCH?
YOU LOW-LIFE WHO REJECTED HIS COUNTRY (GHANA) TO PLAY FOR FRANCE.
MORON!!!!
I think people who make comments here should be guided to moderate their views. I believe Marcel Desailly only stated the very obvious… The Super Eagles greatest problem was not however poor defending and other tactical errors… Apart from average basic soccer skills (poor set pieces, marking and shooting), our Eagles suffered from a captive mindset. While over-confidence robbed us of the maximum points against Iran, an under-confidence mindset denied us of victories against Argentina and France and also ticket to our first world cup q-final. But do not blame the Eagles too hard, the culture of captive mindset is gradually taking Nigeria hostage. As a people, we are beginning to accept excuse as an alternative to success. I have come to accept this ugly development as a major poor pass in our evolution as a society especially when we have a President that explains away why his promises to provide us with security, light, roads, water, jobs and a sense of dignity cannot happen in this life time! Back to soccer, jare! The Press, unfortunately ices this error in living. They start by hyping our players and then explain away their avoidable failures with appellations such as “Our Gallant Eagles lose to Argentina”. I then wonder “would the heavens fall if we beat Argentina…?” Have we not beaten them before? What is the big deal if we beat a ‘Messi-ful’ Argentina? Ask me if I was surprised that Ambrose Echiejile was so eager to collect a shirt from Messi that he was captured on camera literally begging for it… How that shirt eventually ended up with Osaze and the way our Premiership man laundered the shirt on Twitter can give us a book on “how not to idolize your enemy”. After the match against France, it was the same aura of “poor self belief” as our players were all smiles for the loss against France… Do you blame them? They know that another “Our gallant Eagles lose narrowly to France” awaited them the next morning on the pages of our newspapers. My appeal is that no father should carry this mentality home – drop it at the turnstile of Estadio Beira Rio. Our children deserve to be taught to compete with the best and always expect victory. However, if after putting in their very best and fail, they should accept defeat with the candour of a sportsperson, dust up, pick useful lessons and begin plotting for the next victory. That is the attitude Nigerian players, politicians and we – the popular stand – must make our own! Anything less than this would be the brewing of Russia 2018 disaster and another cruel postponement of Nigeria’s destiny with true greatness! Greatness beats under our breasts – we must grab it with itchy fingers!