Nigeria began the 51st edition of the FIFA World Cup in disappointing fashion, after a 2-0 loss to Croatia on Saturday. Oghenekaro Etebo’s unfortunate own goal gave the Europeans a first half lead, before Luka Modric converted a late second half penalty to seal victory and all three points.
The result means Nigeria have now failed to win the opening game in their last four appearances at the World Cup.
However, the latest result has elicited a lot of reactions from visibly disappointed Nigerians, who have taken to their social media accounts to voice their displeasure.
Here are some of the reactions as they vent their frustration on the coach, and players.
Let’s start with those who have blamed the coach, Gernot Rohr, in a country with a population of over 180million, you shouldn’t be surprised to see several coaches.
Take off iwobi… Rohr abi Thor abi what's your name?
— El Capitan Futuro II (@Jibsman1) June 16, 2018
Rohr lost this game for us. And let be honest, the warning signs were there during the friendlies.
Doesn't know his best XI, no proper identity in the team.
— Simeon (@simeonftbl) June 16, 2018
Who else think Rohr deserves the blame? A few tactical adjustments could have made the difference.
Forget, this man no sabi
— Castano Yemi Dada (@YemiCastano) June 16, 2018
My advice to Gernot Rohr #CRONGA
1; Mikel is NOT an 8.
2; Team to switch wing often stop focusing on Moses (right).
3; Iwobi is the only creative player we have, he should play 8.
4; Iheanacho is a better lone striker to Ighalo
5; Etebo should retain his place, a great player.— Dr Savage ?? (@surh__says) June 16, 2018
My advice to Gernot Rohr #CRONGA
1; Mikel is NOT an 8.
2; Team to switch wing often stop focusing on Moses (right).
3; Iwobi is the only creative player we have, he should play 8.
4; Iheanacho is a better lone striker to Ighalo
5; Etebo should retain his place, a great player.— Dr Savage ?? (@surh__says) June 16, 2018
This particular Nigerian didn’t hold back, going as far as calling the coach a ‘failure’
By stats, if Gernot Rohr FAIL to reach the second round place at the World Cup, he is a FAILURE.
He will be in the same league as Lars Lagerback in 2010.
Local coaches got us to second round. #PoojaFootball
— POOJA… (@PoojaMedia) June 17, 2018
More “bashing” for the coach…
I don’t know why nobody is talking about this man. Gernot Rohr’s jazz is not catching me.
This man ?????? does not mean us well! ? #CR0NGA pic.twitter.com/EntDvv8XNs
— Elsie Godwin (@ELSiEiSY) June 16, 2018
Gernot Rohr actually waited till the 88th minute before substituting Mikel? ?
Even my 6 yr old son knows Mikel should have been off that pitch ages ago.Gernot Rohr is responsible for this loss.
Tactics and substitutions were all wrong.
— Olaleye Dada (@olaleyedada) June 16, 2018
An ex international was not left out…
https://twitter.com/OdemwingieP/status/100808206097893785
Now to the players, after his huge mistake led to the penalty, William Troost-Ekong was taken to the cleaners by this fan
Ekong is a scam of a defender.
And that has nothing to do with tonight.
He is a scam in the making.
If not for Leon he wouldn't be considered good enough to make the squad.
Poverty defender.— eddy (@ediological) June 16, 2018
But Victor Moses was one player who was shown no mercy at all..
Moses has fallen more times than wall of Jericho ?
— Team Nigeria ?? (@Iam_Abdulaxis) June 16, 2018
Iwobi off but Moses is still there thinking he's Ronaldo? Wtf.
— Cerè Maradonné (@Cerebrone) June 16, 2018
Moses has fallen more than rain this year. #CRONGA
— Josh (@sire_liljosh) June 16, 2018
Davido Ft victor moses – fall [ Russia Rmx]
— Arc. (@AlvanJenkins) June 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/DanielEgwede/status/100810061772480921
Victor Moses fell more times than the value of the naira ???
— SCHOLES (@iamscholes) June 16, 2018
Moses that crossed the red sea, will be disappointed in Moses that can't cross the ball. #CRONGA
— AJALA JALINGO (@UNCLE_AJALA) June 16, 2018
OBO no lie, na Moses write 'FALL' for you. https://t.co/SuGQ8mU9i0
— YK Lee (@Datzmenoni) June 16, 2018
Egypt Lost
Morocco Lost
Nigeria Lost.Victor Moses fell in love with the grass.
— Mr. Gitz (@iGitz_) June 16, 2018
Now, despite his own goal handing Croatia the lead, Nigerians rewarded Etebo for his good all round performance by showing him some love.
RT if Etebo is your Nigerian man of the match today. #CRONGA #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/JkRiaFEYoh
— ♔ King Absolute ♔ (@KingAbsolute_) June 16, 2018
Etebo has been massive in this game. Minus the own goal, easily one of our best players so far.
— Santos Akhilele ?? (@SantosTHEBOSS) June 16, 2018
I'm impressed by @stokecity new signing @etebo_karo for Nigeria. Looks very composed and confident. Stoke fans will be quite excited by this early World Cup showing.
— Matt Sandoz (@mattsandoz1) June 16, 2018
Etebo was our best player today.
Mikel was disappointing.
Iwobi was super disappointing.
Balogun was solid.
Ekong was good (except for the mistake).Rohr gets a 3/10 for his performance as coach.
— Wᴏʟᴇ́ II (@THEKingwole) June 16, 2018
Forget the own goal… Etebo has been the most impressive player on this pitch. #CRONGA
— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) June 16, 2018
I'm shocked how grossly underrated Ogenekaro Etebo was, before tonight. And no, it's not a fluke. Is this English Championship material?
— Fisayo Dairo (@FisayoDairo) June 16, 2018
LOL. Etebo sealing Onazi's place on the bench and probably sending him out of the Super Eagles. #YourSportsMemo #SterlingBank #WorldCup
— Sola Oyeniyi (Royalty) (@sholsss) June 16, 2018
Our best player of the match had an own goal we’re almost as bad as Saudi Arabia.
— Olawole (@cunioni) June 16, 2018
Back to the coach, this time they question his changes in the game.
Why did he keep kelechi on the bench that long?
— El Capitan Futuro II (@Jibsman1) June 16, 2018
Well, at least he's a coach… https://t.co/PqljJlsavS
— Solace Chukwu (@TheOddSolace) June 16, 2018
Why exactly was Iwobi subbed off?
— Dove (@Lyrndah) June 16, 2018
However, while Croatia may have won, these fans weren’t that impressed by their performance.
Mikel bullied Modrić off the ball. The superior no 10 bullying the lesser no 10 as it should be.
— Choudhury (@Temphiz) June 16, 2018
Croatia are not even spectacular with all the Real Madrid and Barcelona players.
We can win these guys. #ConnectWithGreatness
— POOJA… (@PoojaMedia) June 16, 2018
OG and a daft penalty. Croatia ain't shit. Dem dey craze. Make dem come back on a Friday night if we no go beat them blue black. They're lucky we don't win on Saturdays.
— Choudhury (@Temphiz) June 16, 2018
And this fan has another view of the game, especially Nigeria’s performance.
I am gutted ..I didn't see this coming ..I am proud of these guys regardless #CRONGA
— ?KING OF LAGOS(MFR) (@Derek74399105) June 16, 2018
But not this octopus…
There is literally nothing that's happened tonight that I haven't been complaining about right from when we were trouncing Algeria and Cameroon and creaming ourselves.
To think I have to do an analysis for this. Sigh.
— Solace Chukwu (@TheOddSolace) June 16, 2018
Finally, unlike the octopus, these Nigerians have decided to take solace in Nigeria’s beautiful kits.
We have the best jersey and that’s the important thing. Don’t lose focus please
— Psalmy (@7salmy) June 16, 2018
Our jersey is still the finest.
Ntoiiiiiii— Yemi (@Babygiwa) June 16, 2018
At least we won the jersey trophy ☺️??
— Ayeesha (@tweetlawunmi) June 16, 2018
Thank God for small mercies. https://t.co/A68liGwx6W
— Solace Chukwu (@TheOddSolace) June 16, 2018
And what do the players say to that?
????Nigeria players doing the Shaku Shaku dance at the pre-match pitch inspection.???? pic.twitter.com/4Mo6Q5DQt7
— FootballFacts101 (@FootballFact101) June 16, 2018
