THE Assistant Coach of the Nigeria’s senior national team, the Super Eagles, Mr. Finidi George, has disclosed that discipline and tactical switch in formation was reason why the team defeated Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Finidi said the boys played to instructions in a very tactical game against the hosts. “We are very happy with the victory, but nothing has been done yet.
“It was a tactical game; we switched formation and had to defend most of the time and using counter-attacks from the flanks.
“It’s a team (Cote d’Ivoire) that is very good on the ball, so we had to sit back a bit, close the spaces and go on counter-attacks,” he said.
He stated that in spite of the win, which has taken them to the second position in the Group A table, the players would not get carried away, but work harder in their next match against Guinea Bissau on Monday, adding: “We will keep our cool in the next match because nothing has been achieved yet, we go all out again.”
Nigeria faces Guinea-Bissau at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan for their third and final round of Group A matches at 5p.m, trailing group leaders, Equatorial Guinea, on goal difference.
Stand -in captain, Williams Troost Ekong, converted a 54th minute penalty to give the Super Eagles the lead in a tension-soaked encounter against the host, Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire.
After playing out a drab 0-0 draw in the first half, the Super Eagles caught their opponent on the counter and made effort to score when Victor Osimhen was fouled in the 18 yard box.
Centre referee, Mustapha Ghorbal, from Algeria, had allowed play to continue, but Video Assistant Referees (VAR) called him to re-check, after which, having been convinced that Osimhen was fouled, he pointed to the spot.
All efforts by the Nigerian side to increase the tally proved abortive, same for the host’s quest to cancel out the goal.
