The decision by Austine Eguavoen to play two players from the start in the Super Eagles 0-0 draw against Rwanda yesterday in Kigali didn’t sit properly with certain players in the team, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Nigeria drew the second game in the AFCON qualifiers, a few days after thrashing Benin Republic 3-0 in Uyo in their opening game with a brace from Ademola Lookman and a solitary strike from Victor Osimhen.
The interim coach decided to make just one change to the starting lineup that won the first game with Alex Iwobi dropping out of the team for Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. His decision not to drop two players left some players disgruntled.
” We (Super Eagles )have a competitive squad and with all due respect every player deserves to be given a chance especially if the one picked ahead of you didn’t play well”, a member of the backroom staff said.
” Four stickers were called up for the game in Victor Boniface, Victor Osimhen, Taiwo Awoniyi and Kelechi Iheanacho. When Boniface didn’t make the most of his chance in the first game and started again yesterday I don’t think it’s fair on the duo of Iheanacho and Awoniyi.
” Some players were not in support of the decision to start Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze. This team should be more about if you don’t take your chances let someone else do it. Sadly it wasn’t the case in the game against Rwanda”.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
