Former Super Eagles coach Samsom Siasia has played down claims that Nigeria would have done better than other African nations at the just concluded 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Argentina defeated France in Sunday’s final to lift the country’s third-ever world title and a first since 1986, ending 36 years of wait.
African representatives created some upsets in Qatar also setting new World Cup records.
Despite failing to reach the round of sixteen, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon claimed a first-ever win over Brazil while Tunisia stunned defending champions France.
Senegal and Morocco progressed to the round of sixteen, but the Teranga Lions lost to England.
Atlas Lions set a new record for African countries as they became the first country to reach the semifinals of the World Cup after defeating 2010 winners Spain and former European champions Portugal.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after losing to Ghana on a head-to-head rule.
The Olympics gold medal-winning coach believed the Eagles would have lost woefully in Qatar.
“We would have been embarrassed out of the World Cup with shocking score lines,” Siasia told FL.
“The Super Eagles have no business going to the world cup and losing out to the Ghana team we played against is enough proof.”
The 55-year-old played 51 international matches for Nigeria, scored thirteen goals, and was part of the team that participated in the 1994 World Cup.
He won the African Nations Cup in 1994 and was also a member of the Nigerian team that won bronze at the 1992 African Nations Cup in Senegal.
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