Paul Aigbogun’s boys were knocked out of the tournament in Poland by their West African neighbours on Monday night.
Nigeria’s display at the FIFA U20 World Cup came to an end after a 2-1 defeat to Senegal in Round of 16 fixtures.
Amadou Sagna and Ibrahima Niane’s goals in the first half were enough for Senegal to see off the Flying Eagles as Success Makanjuola’s effort turned out to be a consolation goal.
The defeat in Lodz ended the Flying Eagles campaign in Poland.
The victors of the continental clash earned a spot in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019.
The Flying Eagles had a superb start to the second half, scoring five minutes after the whistle.
From a free kick just outside the penalty area, Success Makanjoula sent his cross left of the wall and found the boot of Aniekeme Okon, who flicked in the easy goal.
It was a tight contest in the final minutes that saw wits and will tested, but the Lions of Teranga willed their way to victory and a spot in the quarter-final.
Nigeria finished third in Group D and only qualified as one of the best fourth third –place finishers in the six groups, while Senegal, Africa’s vice champions, finished at the top of Group A after two wins and a draw.
The seven-time African champions failed to truly impress in Poland since their opening day 4-0 lashing of Qatar.
A 2-0 loss to USA and 1-1 draw with Ukraine, meant the Flying Eagles had to sneak into the knockout rounds.
However, Nigeria fans are far from happy with the team’s performance and coach Aigbogun’s tactical decisions.
The exit of the flying eagles out of the world club did not go down well with Nigerians as the knockout of the under 20 was said to be premeditated owing to the team’s ineptitude.
Ayo Alabi, a soccer pundit described the team as the most awful team in the history of Nigeria.
“This Nigerian U20 team is absolutely awful, dreadful, horrendous, repulsive, atrocious, nauseating, horrendous, hideous and ghastly! They are rancid, rotten to the core! I can’t think of a worse word!
“Another fan, Leo Agbu said, ‘This is the worst under 20 Nigeria has ever produced Paul Aigbogun must be prosecuted for selecting this kind of players.”
Eddy wheezy, a sport journalists queried, ‘One would begin to wonder the criteria for the team selection Paul Aigbogun took to the world cup… No hunger, no desire from them! Everybody just they form big boys.
“Nigeria U-20 team should be allowed to find their way home from Poland. Worst Nigeria team I’ve seen”, he laments.
Babajide Oke, a business man, ‘If Nigeria had started the game the way they played the second half, maybe they would have won.
But as always, they always start their games badly and with zero enthusiasm.”
Meanwhile, The Nigeria Football Federation has come out to deny allegations of player extortion and infighting among the technical crew of the Flying Eagles led by head coach, Paul Aigbogun.
“It has come to the notice of the Nigeria Football Federation that a spurious message has been doing the rounds on social media with the aim of denting the image of the Flying Eagles coach Mr Paul Aigbogun and by extension the Federation,” reads a statement on the official Twitter handle of the NFF.
“In as much as the NFF understands Nigerians are not happy about the exit of the Flying Eagles from the FIFA U20 World Cup in Poland, it is imperative that the Federation clear the air on the rumors.
“At no time did Paul Aigbogun give such an interview to anyone – formal or informal, and for anyone to suggest such, it can only the wild imaginations of the writer who despite quoting an imaginary source, never attributed same to anyone.
“The coach and his backroom staff are in unison and worked together in peace. Allegations of bribery, forcing of players on the coach and others are a mere fabrication, a figment of the author’s imagination and should not be taken seriously.”
