The Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi has assured that all hopes were not lost, in spite of the team’s drab goalless draw against the Melli of Iran.
“We had all expected to wrap up the game within the first 20 minutes, but tension, anxiety and frustration combined to adversely affect the team,’’ Keshi said at a post match conference.
“But you know this is football. It is not the end of the World Cup; the boys had tried to score goals many times and their failure to secure early goals must have led to anxiety.
“I tried to offer advice to the boys at the end of the first half, but you know I cannot jump into the field to play for them because that will not be possible.
“The boys made their promises but did not quite get over it,’’ an apparently disappointed Keshi said.
The coach said he was not in a position to challenge the decision of the referee “when he over ruled an early goal by my team’’.
“I respect his decision. He had the final say to his decision,’’ the coach, dubbed the Big Boss, said.
Nigeria’s Mikel Obi, who bagged the man of the match, courtesy of fans, had also described the match as a difficult and frustrating match.
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