Former Super Eagles winger, Tijani Babangida has expressed disappointment with the Flying Eagles performance against Gambia in the 2023 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Recall that Gambia sealed a 1-0 victory over the Flying Eagles to qualify for a first-ever youth Nations Cup final.
Adama Bojang scored the only goal of the game as the Gambians edged seven-time champions Nigeria on Monday.
Reacting to the team’s performance, Babangida in a chat with Completesports.com, stated that the Flying Eagles lack of focus cost the team a place in the final.
“I really feel so disappointed that the team failed to book a place in the final of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. It is even more sad that Nigeria lost to Gambia in the semi finals.
“Lack of concentration from the players gave Gambia that early lead and we never came back to the game. It’s a pity the team will now have to focus on the third-place match against Tunisia.”
7 Comments
Recall, what something that happened yesterday???????. No we don’t recall.
Which lack of concentration?…..Every teams can get caught off guard due to lack of concentration but it’s how you respond that shows your level of Talent…… You conceeded a goal in 7 min of play and you could not respond in 90min?……. Bosso thinks he can just select a group of boys he knows well and drill them to shape then make them champions without majority of them being super talented…….That is the problem with Nigerian coaches……They think any player can do the job as long as they obey their instructions like zombies……. Talent in key in any successful team……Those FE boys where well drilled and trained and they followed the coaches instructions to the latter but they didn’t have the required talent to back it up…….That is why we lost world class foreign talents like Alaba, Eboiwe and co at U17 level…….The coaches at the grassroot level don’t look out for talents,they only look out for loyalty and financial gains……The main component of a good coach is your ability to spot a talent miles away.
Bros Babangida, let’s stop beating around the bush . call a spade a spade. That team had everything but talent. The way they play showed that the coach did a good job in terms blending the the team. Unfortunately u cannot give what u do not have. Guile ,determination and power do not win top matches. You need talent. That’s what the Coach need to go in search of. The Okochas, Kanus, Mikel,Osihmens, Chukwuezes, et al have all help Nigeria win one trophy or the other by pure talent. KANU won the Olympics for Nigeria by pure talent. There are talents on the streets of Nigeria with 200million people. The world don’t always struggle to spot talents on a typical Nigeria team. Pls pls Coach the essence of under age is to spot and develop talent. You cannot tell me Nigeria does not have a talented striker or midfielder with an eye for a pass at under 20 level. Its a shame
This Bosso guy should be in the dossier of the NFF as one of the worst coaches never to be recycled PLUS AND INCLUDING EGUAVOEN.
CERTIFIED FAILURES.
This is what happens when you have corruption everywhere in the country. Corruption has eaten deep, and if we don’t stop it, this is what we get. Truth is always bitter. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
These are old men. Among these guys am looking at, the youngest has to be 24 yet no talent. That’s why you eventually see some of them go to Europe and after 4 or 5 season, they fizzle out. I heard he sent some foreign players out of the camp in other to create rooms for his own group of players that he would be collecting from % when they turn pros.
We all can see why we lost the likes of Alaba and other upcoming stars to the Europeans.
Young Boys within their 20’s full most areas in Lagos, part of South West, East, SE and SS yet they will never scout from grassroots. Even Academies produce talents.
What these young boys needed is just encouragement, free & proper hygienic food & a token as monthly allowance to get the best out of them then blend them to a proper talent. Within a year, they will be ready for any youth tournament starting from under 17 to U23.
But No ooo….Corruption will never allow them reason the proper way. They’re only after what they will eat instantly without thinking ahead of what the future hold for the boys and Nigerian teams
Everyone is shouting corruption is that not our habit? Look at election of a president Mahmoud Rigged for Tinubu, those players are not the best we have at that level of U20, some rigging must have been done. They cannot even string two passes together without loosing the ball. What a shame.