Nigerian football fans have expressed their displeasure with the failure of the U23 Eagles to qualify for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations (U23AFCONQ), www.aclsports.com reports.
The U23 Eagles, also referred to as the Olympic Eagles, travelled to Morocco to face Guinea for the second leg of the final qualifying round to the AFCON finals in Morocco later this year.
Salisu Yusuf ’s side drew goalless in Abuja last Wednesday and needed to win this reverse fixture in order to reach the tournament proper. However, the Guineans wanted it more and deservedly progress with a 2-0 win thanks to second half goals from Algassime Bah and Alseny Soumah.
Our Chief football writer, Fisayo Dairo set the tone for the conversation as football fans reacted to the defeat.
L' Guinea U23 2-0 Nigeria U23
— Fisayo Dairo (@FisayoDairo) March 28, 2023
Nigeria's men's football team will not be at next year's Olympics. A second Olympics tournament in a row.
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Some of the reactions went as thus;
Others were critical of coach Salisu, who they think shouldn’t have been given the job in the first place.
The fact that someone like Salisu Yusuf still gets a coaching job in this country goes to show how unserious we are as a footballing nation. Despite the scandal surrounding his involvement with the national team, he still gets to coach our U23... Disgraceful
— Jigger_ (@ade_tobbie) March 28, 2023
While others blamed the U23AFCONQ ouster on poor preparation and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Lol. Putting square pegs inside Octagonal holes that a golfball can't even attempt entering? Nff selection madness. Cant plant thorns and reap pineapples
— Lummy Dee(@Dave_Lummy5) March 28, 2023
As a result of this latest failure, Nigeria will now miss the football event of the Olympics for a second successive time because the U23 AFCON serves as the qualifying tournament.
