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.
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L' Guinea U23 2-0 Nigeria U23
Nigeria's men's football team will not be at next year's Olympics. A second Olympics tournament in a row.
When will Samson Siasia's ban elapse? 😉
— Fisayo Dairo (@FisayoDairo) March 28, 2023
Some of the reactions went as thus;
Nigerian football is in turmoil https://t.co/VGDIKlL3MU
— Optimus-9aul (@Optimus_9aul) March 28, 2023
Things don spoil pass Sia Sia, we need a spiritual cleansing first
— Latifat Adebayo-Ohio (@Phatill) March 28, 2023
I'm afraid Siasia might not even be the way out. The rot is too deep, pruning is not the solution, we need to uproot and cultivate afresh.
We need the right people at NFF, right person as Minister of Sports and so on…
— Ayobami Okanlawon (@OkanlawonAyo) March 28, 2023
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 🤦♂️
— Ade_Tobbie (@ade_tobbie) March 28, 2023
The problem is coaching!!!
Salisu has and will always be a baggage that has to give way for a better head
He has hung around for too long in the national teams and learnt NOTHING !!@thenff
— Azriel (@Vulperone) March 28, 2023
The reason why that Salisu Yusuf is even in charge of any team in Nigeria is beyond me tbh
— SIR OZZY APPAREL (@osemenor) March 28, 2023
While others blamed the U23AFCONQ ouster on poor preparation and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Poor preparations from Nff. Guinea were in camp with only home base players for close to 3 months the European base joined later,and immediately they held us goalless they invited some players to strengthen the team from Europe. Please give Finidi George the team or Makinwa
— sule mohammed (@SulmuhamSule) March 28, 2023
Our administrators are ours biggest problem recycling the same set of coaches and outdated and old fashioned head to manage our teams to constant failure.
Tomorrow this same Salisu will be given another appointment in either the U17, 20 or even the U23 team. Watch and see.
— Francis Etim (@TheSportChef) March 28, 2023
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
What a disgrace…. We are losing it and NFF is not acting. A shame.
— Chimezie Okeke (@okekemezie1) 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.
