Former Nigeria international Etim Esin has lambasted players of the Flying Eagles for losing to Sudan in Saturday’s second leg of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Flying Eagles lost 4-3 to 10-man Sudan in Lagos, 5-5 on aggregate, crashing out on the away goals rule.
Reacting to the defeat, the Chile 1987 U-20 World Cup star told Completesportsnigeria.com that the result is a reflection of the state of Nigerian football.
“How on earth should we lose to Sudan after winning 2-1 away?” Esin questioned.
“There is something wrong somewhere. There is something wrong with our national team. And everyone is clamouring for Amuneke to be given the Super Eagles job. Because you win U-17 World Cup doesn’t mean you are now a great coach.
“Let’s get back to reality because what is happening to our football is not funny. The earlier we told ourselves the truth, the better for us. It’s not by winning U-17, it’s by bringing future talent to the national team, that is what U-17 is all about,” he said.
He also berated the idea of bringing the game in Lagos.
“And the thought of bringing the match to Lagos really baffled me. Why not go to Calabar where the boys would have played without pressure.
“Maybe after winning away they felt let’s play in Lagos at worst we would get a draw. We all can now see the repercussion.
“It’s just a bad result that will not make anybody happy. Imagine, we won away, not even a draw, we won only to come home and lose to a 10-man side.”