By Daily Sports on March 26, 2016

Nigeria coach Samson Siasia has blamed their draw against Egypt in Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on a lapse in concentration by his defenders very late in the encounter.

Ahmed Salah grabbed a late injury-time equaliser to cancel out Oghenekaro Etebo’s goal on 60 minutes to secure an unlikely draw for the Pharaohs in Kaduna.

Siasia said his players switched off and left their opponents unmarked after goalkeeper Carl Ikeme had booted the ball into touch in the spirit of fair play with defender Godfrey Oboabona down injured.

He also said Ikeme should have kicked the ball far away from his goal than to an area the Egyptians could likely launch an attack.

“We lost concentration in the last three minutes of added time,” Siasia said.

“Oboabona was down injured and our goalkeeper (Carl Ikeme) kicked the ball out, but close to our own area.

“Maybe he should have kicked the ball further out.

“The Egyptians didn’t apply fair play rules (of returning the ball to Nigeria) and instead attacked and scored.

“We should blame ourselves and not the Egyptians because fair play doesn’t mean you should stop marking.”

Siasia however said the fight for the automatic qualifying place was not over, but they have to win in Egypt to stand a chance of leading their group.

“We can go to Egypt and win. We’ll do our best,” he said.

“If we don’t then we’re out. Anything is possible.”

Egypt remain top of Group G of the AFCON qualifiers and host the Eagles on March 29.

•Text courtesy of Supersport. Photo shows Coach Sasia.

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 26, 2016

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