We Lost Due To Covid 19 Not Own Goal -Cape Verde Coach Explains Defeat To Super Eagles

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Head coach of Cape Verde Pedro ‘Bubista’ Leitao has blamed Covid 19 as part of the reasons why his team were beaten by the senior national team of Nigeria in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

The coach saw his team took a shock lead but it was cancelled by Nigeria who went on to win 2-1 go top of the group with maximum points from their first two games of the qualifiers.

Explaining the defeat, Bubista who insist his team shouldn’t be criticized for the defeat to Nigeria as they are not on the level of the Super Eagles, explained that the coronavirus pandemic didn’t help his plans ahead of the game.

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“We were a few holes below what we usually present, mainly on the offensive level. It was not easy. We had to switch some players because of the covid-19 situation. But that’s no excuse for what happened.
“Cape Verde doesn’t have to feel squeamish about losing to Nigeria. Nigeria are one of the best teams in Africa. We have to have manhood and humility to know that Nigeria is also an extremely strong team and losing to Nigeria is not a bad thing”, he said.

Speaking on the bizarre own goal Kenny Rocha Santos which handed Nigeria the winner, the coach said it’s something that do happen urging his players to move on from the defeat and focus on other games in the qualifiers series.

“These are situations that happen. An own goal is always difficult. It was a shame because it happened at a time when we were taking over the game, we had refreshed the team. But happens. We are not here to blame anyone individually. In our team we always win together and lose together”, he stressed
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