Super Eagles chief coach, Stephen Keshi has declared that Nigeria lost 3-0 to a better Spanish side in the Fifa Confederations Cup at the weekend.
The former Eagles captain noted that, the Eagles learned greatly from the experience and they would be better in the future.
The Super Eagles were beaten 3-0 by World Champions Spain, who played well within themselves and never looked like they really needed to ‘change gears’ for the win.
Keshi said that the Eagles players must look at their experience in Brazil as a vital learning curve for the future. “We lost the match because we played against a better side, a team that has been good for a very long time.” If you look at the game – three goals was not fair. But, this is football and it happens.
“When you look at the other teams, they have their complete team, their first team. In the last few matches we lost four or five key players and today we lost another key player at centre-half [Kenneth Omeruo], it was damaging. It’s football, we have to live with it.”
He added: “It is a learning process for us, we just have to continue what we started and build. This is a team that hardly ever goes down 2-0 and when put in that position, they lost the composure, the shape of the team. It was a major problem. In the first half we were very composed, but when we conceded the second goal in the second half, we became unprofessional. We need more experience.
“The teams and the coaches that I spoke with have been very educational for us. We a’re going back with some sort of education from this tournament,” he noted.
The Confederations Cup semi-finals would see Spain up against Italy while hosts Brazil face Uruguay.
When asked who he felt would win the tournament, Keshi said that he could not pick a winner. “Well, I don’t know all of world football. I am learning,” he said.
“I can’t say if Spain is better than Brazil. In this tournament, the best team does not always win. I can’t put money on anyone.”
