Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi is baffled at the manner the team conceded two goals from set pieces in their opening Group D game against Croatia at the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
An own goal from Oghenekaro Etebo and a penalty from Luka Modric condemned the Super Eagles to a 2-0 defeat at the Kaliningrad Stadium on Saturday night.
“It’s difficult to explain. We talked about it and considering the fact that we trained on it. It’s four goals conceded now from set-piece,” Mikel said in his post-match interview after the game, also referring to goals conceded in friendly defeats to England and Czech Republic.
“We have to keep going to try to improve on set pieces.”
Mikel was also quick to play down talk of his teammates’ inexperience against the star-studded Croatian side.
“I think the young guys did well but we just have to keep going and trying to get better,” he added.
Nigeria will face Iceland in their next game.