President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick has blamed early goals and inexperience for the Home-based Super Eagles embarrassing loss to Mexico.
The Super Eagles B team suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Mexico on Sunday morning at the 75,000 capacity Los Angeles Coliseum stadium, USA.
Nigeria’s national team mainly made up of home-based was clearly dominated by El Tri for the entire duration, and as expected fans expressed their disappointment with the result.
However, Pinnick insists the players gave their best and should be lauded for the despite the loss.
“I believe the players gave their best in the encounter, and the result could have been different if we didn’t concede those early goals and we took our chances that came immediately after,” Pinnick told the media.
“I am strongly of the belief that the players should be commended for their efforts in the game.”
The NFF President added that Mexico had an edge over Nigeria because their players have the experience of playing on the biggest stage.
“The difference was in greater experience and much more exposure.” Nothing stops our boys from standing up to the Mexicans with a number of games under their belts in the next few months.
Before the match, Pinnick had revealed plans for more friendly games for the home-based players, and he maintained the same position after the game, saying the result did not change anything.
“There is nothing that has happened here that will discourage us from pushing ahead with the plan we have for the team.
“Our programme to get the team to a higher level through regular exposure to the toughest games possible will continue.”
“They did not just lie down to get slaughtered. They put up a fight and were only unlucky.”
“We will go ahead and deliver on the programme we have for them to be a much stronger team, as we look forward to the next African Nations Championship,” he said.
The FIFA council member also sounded a note of warning to players based in the country, that he will not allow them move to “mushroom clubs” abroad.
“If you’re living in Nigeria, you’re going to a top club.
“Villarreal, Valencia, Lille, and all those proud footballing clubs and not to one mushroom club that you’re better off,” he said as quoted by Brila.net.
