After failing to get the desired result against the Eagles of Mali on Tuesday night in Marrakech, Super Eagles interim coach, George Finidi listed absence of key players as part of the factors responsible for the defeat, writes Nigeriasoccernet.com.
Finidi George who led Nigeria to a win against rivals Ghana in Marrakech on Friday claimed his team dominated the game and could have easily won despite having just 2 shots on target in the entire 90 minutes.
Speaking to NFF TV after the game, the Enyimba International gaffer said:
"I think just few mistakes cost us the match. It was not a bad game, good intensity we had some good chances but didn't score.
"And in a game like this if you fail to make use of your chances and made mistakes you will be punished for it.
"This is a team that keeps the ball very well but if we had our injured strikers available, we would have changed the one on the pitch immediately. Losing two strikers forced us to play wide and as aggressive team, we did all we can. And you know football is all about victory.
Although the win over Ghana boosted his chances of becoming the substantive Super Eagles Coach, the performance against Mali have now casted doubts on whether or not the NFF will be able to entrust the national team top job in his hands.
"Lost one and won one and we are not outplayed in the two matches gives me joy as a coach of the Super Eagles. I would have loved a different result in this game but that's not the case but if we look at the performance of the players, it's commendable," He concluded.
By Oluwayemi Omolagba