Sports administrators in Enugu on Monday faulted Nigeria’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, for their 4-2 defeat to Brazil at the ongoing World Cup in New Zealand.
Some of the fans said in Enugu that the country was always jinxed against the South Americans at the U-20 level.
Edwin Eze, the Director of Sports (Information) at the Enugu State Sports Council, said that the players tried their best, but lost to Brazil due to the South Americans’ past glory.
“Nigerians have not beaten Brazil at this level in the past; so, the players were eager to break the jinx while leaving their back open.
“They forgot that they required patience to do that.
“Besides, Joshua Enaholo was a joy killer; Dele Alampasu would have been a better option in goal following his past records.
“All hope is not lost since we still have two matches against Korea DPR and Hungary to make up for the loss in the group,” Eze said.
The Director of Sports Development in the state, John Eli, blamed the entire team for the loss for their overzealousness to beat Brazil.
“Let us not blame Enaholo alone because he needed maximum protection from the players;’’ he said.
The Chairman of the Enugu State Football Association, Chidi Offor-Okenwa, said that the team’s psyche was low, compared to their opponents.
“The players need to be psyched up to overcome their remaining opponents in the group and probably go far in this tournament.
“Brazil’s history against Nigerian teams in world tournament affected the players; that is why they lost the match.
“Flying Eagles’ loss to Brazil was due to inferiority complex. If not, the keeper was doing well before the technical team picked him ahead of others.
“But he fumbled at the big stage,” Offor-Okenwa said.
Crime Busters FC of Enugu Team Manager, Ebere Amaraizu, said that football was full of surprises, saying that the outcome did not reflect the play.
“The game of football is full of surprises; let us hope that the technical crew will tighten up the loose ends to come up stronger in the remaining group matches,’’ Amaraizu said.
