Nigerians have expressed their disappointment with the state of the pitch at the Stephen Keshi stadium, Asaba, as part of reactions to Nigeria’s 3-1 win over Seychelles in the AFCON2019Q on Friday.
The Super Eagles survived a scare from the Pirates of Seychelles to secure all three points in their final match in the AFCON2019Q.
Goals from Odion Ighalo, who converted a first half spot kick, and two beautiful goals in the second half from Henry Onyekuru and substitute, Moses Simon, earned Nigeria a much needed win that sees them finish as group winners.
Rody Melanie caused a scare in the first half when he capitalised on a Francis Uzoho howler to cancel Ighalo’s opener for Nigeria. However, Onyekuru and Simon ensured Nigeria finished on a high.
42' GOAL! Nigeria 1-1 Seychelles #NGASEY
Seychelles equalise through Rody Melanie who pokes home after a free kick is flapped by goalkeeper Uzoho.#YourSportsMemo
— ACLSports (@acl_sports) March 22, 2019
After the match, Nigerians, who were not satisfied with the performance of the Super Eagles, took to their respective social media accounts to express their displeasure, with many particularly furious with the state of the Asaba pitch.
Here are some of the reactions;
Update on the super eagles
Asaba pitch is a very poor pitch as well as the Nigerian squad we are lucky to come out with a win#NGASEY
— Al_Pacino (@mark_okor) March 22, 2019
I regret taking out some time to watch this match! Bad football, bad stadium. I blame the @thenff. Only the right atmosphere aids good football. This match could have been played at night.#NGASEY
— Seun Ogunbiyi (@8oneder) March 22, 2019
The pitches in Nigeria is a bane to our football #NGASEY
— Olajide Mubarack ?? (@Aworiambassador) March 22, 2019
This is second half, the boys should be used to this disasterclass of a pitch by now. At least they are professionals. We need goals. #NGASEY
— Talksports (@Sports_minister) March 22, 2019
Everything about this game have been disappointing: from the outlook of the stadium in Asaba; to the poor state of the pitch; to the performance of the Super Eagles; to the angle of the TV camera, not leaving out the commentary. #NGASEY #AFCON2019Q
— Godwin Odiko (@GodwinOdiko) March 22, 2019
With Nigeria set to host Egypt at the same venue on Tuesday, this fan is keeping his fingers crossed that the game will be moved to another stadium.
Where is the venue for the Egypt ?? friendly again. Hope it's not same stadium cos i am not enjoying it one bit due to the poor broadcast & camera angles. #NGASEY
— Ọ́lásúnkànmì??? (@SoonQie) March 22, 2019
Still on the pitch…
Playing on bare sand is far better than this pitch… Is it a must to grow grass on the pitch when you know that you can't maintain it to standard level then you go for Astro turf …poor maintenance all around #NGASEY
— Emiola David (@EmirateDboss) March 22, 2019
This #NGASEY match is painful to watch. Abysmal is an understatement for this performance.
And how come we don't have a level pitch in the whole country. No single good pitch. Not one, all of them are rough, bubbly and bouncy. Very difficult to connect passes.— OG Lock (@MelaMadeIt) March 22, 2019
This Asaba stadium is a strong evidence that Nigerian stadiums are not built for sports, but for political rallies. Shame! #NGASEY
— @SANNI AYODELE (@sanni_ayodele) March 22, 2019
Were there fans who celebrated the victory at least? Of course.
CLOSE SHOP!
Market don finish…
Pepper don rest!!!
????#NGASEY #Team9jaStrong #ForzaNaija https://t.co/3KeK4QCfXD— AS Roma Pidgin (@ASRomaPidgin) March 22, 2019
Simon Moses >>>
— Mufutau Firiyoryor (@LordOreos_) March 22, 2019
Moses !!!!!!!!!!!!! #FSLive
— KING Morakinyo (@morakcares) March 22, 2019
Finally, despite manager, Gernot Rohr, taking Nigeria to two major tournaments now without much problems, this fan still does not see what the Franco-German coach has done for Nigeria.
I don't know how this #Rohr coach has improved our team @SoarSuperEagles. Team till now has no coordination, no flow, no finesse, no control, no compatibility, no entertainment, no confidence. Football is not politics, let's move from Rohr. Expect nothing from AFCON'19 #NGASEY
— Tboy (@harryjaysolid) March 22, 2019
Do you agree with him?
