Super Eagles interim coach Austin Eguavoen expressed his displeasure over the officiating of referee Maguette Ndiaye from Senegal after his side lost 1-0 to Tunisia in an AFCON Round of 16 clash at the Roumde Adija Stadium, Garoua on Sunday.
Youssef Msakni’s long-range strike beat Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye two minutes into the second half to help the North Africans seal an unlikely victory.
“We came into the game very strong, we respected them and they did as well. The Tunisians formed a defensive low block and our ball to the wings was slow. They doubled team our wingers in the first half which affected the play a bit.
“It’s a little bit difficult to say. I don’t like talking much about the masters. But there is nothing wrong in making one’s reservation. Iwobi’s red card I don’t think was justified because it was the first foul. However, the first offence doesn’t deserve that as well.
“The painful thing is that we got opportunities to break away but the advantage was always called back, which is unfair, but otherwise I will say congratulations to the Tunisians.”
Eguavoen also urged the Eagles players to brush off the defeat and ensure they qualified the team for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“We came here with a mission and we gave it all, Eguavoen added.
“The round of 16, we all know what happens there, if you lose you go home but if you win you remain, which has been the song we’ve been singing.
“I cannot fault these players because they gave it all but it was unfortunate and was not meant to be. Slight mistakes from one of our best players and the timing were wrong and they took advantage of it.
“I have told the boys not to lower their heads because they gave it everything, just make sure you give your best to qualify Nigeria for the World Cup.”