For John Fashanu, the Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi is to blame for Nigeria’s loss to Congo at home. Fashanu said that it all boiled down to wrong tactics.
According to the ex England International, Keshi’s tactics from the start cost the Eagles dearly in the game.
He said, “Stephen Keshi is one coach I admire a lot, but his tactics in the first half, and the players he selected cost Nigeria the game. .
“I understand the idea of resting players because of the South Africa game, but leaving your best striker (Emenike) out, and starting with a player (Nwofor), who strikes no fear into the minds of the opposition, was a gamble that backfired.”
Fashanu, one time Wimbledon captain, is however optimistic that the Super Eagles will shake off the shame of defeat by the Congolese team.
He pinpointed the Eagles defence as a major weakness in the Saturday team that were downed by the Congolese.
Fashanu however said that Keshi needs to work on the defence line, which was shaky on Saturday, if he hopes to keep Eagles aspiration to make it to the African Nations Cup alive..
He said, “It’s not looking good at the moment, but from what we saw in the second half, the Super Eagles are a good side in attack, but defensively there are so many issues.
“All the goals Congo scored are avoidable with some simple basics, but they weren’t there, if we are to be at the Nations Cup next year then a whole lot of work needs to be done on the defence.”
Fashanu on the coming game with South Africa to played on Wednesday, Fashanu warned the Eagles against conceding an early goal.
“They should focus more on not conceding early because if they concede, the hangover of the defeat to Congo will demoralise them further.
“We have a good record against South Africa, but we must approach them with respect more than ever as they are on a high, winning 3-0 away, a new coach, a new mentality, they will be aiming to re-write history.”
