Former Super Eagles players have blamed the team’s defeat to Portugal on the lack of cohesion, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The three time African champion ended the year on a losing note following a 4-0 defeat to the Selecao at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
The last time the Eagles won a grade A friendly game was in 2019 when they defeated Egypt 1-0 in Nigeria.
Speaking at the partnership launch between the Nigerian Football Federation and Nigerian Breweries PLC, former Eagles defender, Ifeanyi Udeze, said the team’s defence lacked good understanding.
“The defense lacked good coordination and when that happens you’re bound to concede goals,” Udeze told PUNCH Sports Extra.
“There was no understanding between William Troost-Ekong and the player (Kevin Akpoguma) who played alongside him looked. They need to play compactly as a unit to win games.
“They didn’t play like they wanted to win the game.
Former Eagles striker, Julius Aghahowa, who scored Nigeria’s only goal at the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan said, “The first half, the Eagles had no opportunity to attack and for the stirkers to score. We needed to create more chances to score in games like this. The players looked scared to have the ball. “Our team also lacked mobility.
Former midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju, said,
“The game was not exciting at all. They lacked the will to win the game from the start.”
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