Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi reckons it is difficult losing a match, after showing every winning tendencies throughout the duration.
The Super Eagles conceded twice from set-pieces in the final eleven minutes of their second round clash with France in Brasilia.
The defeat by the 1998 champions means the reigning African champions will now wait until 2018 to have a go at another opportunity of reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
“We have to keep going forward and move on to something else now,” said Keshi in his post-game press conference. “There’s no point looking for guilty parties. The team plays, wins or loses together.”
Stephen Keshi Relays Instructions to His Wards During Their Last-16 Duel With France in Brasilia. Fifa via Getty Image.
Aside from a fragile defensive display in the closing stages of the encounter, Nigeria created many chances and, even nicked one in via Emmanuel Emenike in the first-half; only to be denied for an offside.
Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was- as usual- alert to fend off the French prodding, denying Paul Pogba and Karim Bezema some clear-cut chances.
Keshi believes his side played to instruction, noting that the scoreline does not reflect their performance.
“Every defeat is painful, especially when the players follow their instructions and play well, as they did against France. We didn’t deserve to lose, but that’s football and we have to accept it,” he added.
The Eagles received vociferous support from the crowd- mostly non-Nigerians- gathered at the Estadio Nacional on Monday.
Keshi expressed gratitude for their support saying: “I couldn’t have hoped for more from them.”
Nigeria have now failed to make it past the knockout stage of the World Cup in five appearances. Second round exits in 1994 (USA), 1998 (France) and 2014 (Brazil) means they have advanced into the last-16 thrice- the highest number of knockout stage appearance by an African side.
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