Nigerians React To Flying Eagles' Defeat By Germany

Nigerians have started giving different explanations on why the Flying
Eagles fell to an unexpected defeat to the U-20 team of Germany.

The flying eagles, who failed to test the German keeper with a single
shot were beaten hands down, thanks to Levin Öztunalı's first half
strike.

Levin Öztunalı's strikes to score
While some Nigerians are blaming coach Manu Garba, for failing to
start the team's two stars Kelechi Iheanacho and Yahaya, some admit
the Germans were better while some believe the players didn't put in
enough effort.

We gathered reactions from our Facebook post at the end of the match
as well as the defeat. Read some of the reactions below:

Bola Balogun was not happy with the way the coach set up play and his
chose of players. He said:"With what Nigeria played today they didn't
deserve to progress beyond this Germany team, when u re playing
against an experience team like Germany u don't need to hold ball too
much in ur dangerous area just like what that Nigeria with jersey
number 8 did that allow the only goal of d match,and goalkeeper was d
worst keeper in d competition, I don't know why Manu Garba insist of
using him,he did same against Brazil a direct ball and he allow d ball
to go in to his net."

Another user, John Ndubuisi, did not see the quality in the Germany
team:"the cold is too much there, Manu Garba can't stay again, he just
want to come back, cos for me i did not see much from this Germany
boy."

Like Ndubisi, Didia Lazarus Emechelsea was grateful that Nigeria has
enough quality to win though it not happen.

"Any body blaming the Nigeria junior boys is not a real game lover.
The boys did well, especially after conceding the goal. It just that
they depended on arial ball when they get to Germany defence. The
Germans have height advantage over them."

On the other hand, Wonizibeze Zacchaeus Avahthinks this Flying Eagles
squad were overrated and given too much hype, and went ahead to blast
the football federation."Well,what do u expect when they exhausted all
their energies boasting about how they would beat the Germans on d
pages of newspapers. This also brings to mind the fact that Nigeria
doesn't have any tactical coach, the same mediocrity every where.One
of the worst outings of Nigeria's youth teams in recent times."

Meanwhile, Onyinye Virg thinks the Germans were better no matter the
quality Nigeria Presents,"my dear, even with Iheanacho's, Germans will
still win, they are tall, creative, technically wiser, they deserve
their progress. Come home guys."

Kingsley Onyeali might have a point here;"I don't know! Tell me. What
would you call this football outing? Good luck or Bad luck? Does
buhari know whether this tournament is going on at all. Hmmm!"

The following users who commented were not happy with Manu Garba's selections:
Tomee Ozokpo:coach killed the game

Stanley Efizy:Poor performance why keeping the good players on bench

Ben Akogwu Audu:Manu Garba killed the match

Princewill Nkeogaeme: what is iheanacho doing in the bench in a match like this?

We also gathered reactions from twitter from sport journalists and
everyday sport lovers.

Renowned Super Sport analyst and presenter, Colin Udoh used his
twitter handle to share his thoughts:

This team is still a good unit. Just stumped against a better and more
organized side, and let down by poor tactics #GreenWhite AndProud
— Colin NOT Collins (@ColinUdoh) June 11, 2015

Manu will have to hold up his hands on this one. Didn't seem to study
Germans a priori. Didn't make in-game adjustments #GreenWhite
AndProud— Colin NOT Collins (@ColinUdoh) June 11, 2015

There were simple solutions all over the park. Look before you pass,
stretch the play, ditch the route one balls, sit on players not space
— Colin NOT Collins (@ColinUdoh) June 11, 2015

Meanwhile, sport journalists, Kelechi Nkoro and Deji Faremi working
for Nigeria Info also used twitter to share their thoughts:

Manu Garba was resting Yahaya and Iheanacho for his next game on the
plane back to Nigeria! — Kelechi Nkoro (@K1Says) June 11, 2015

When I said "Siasia side was better" months ago! some people were
playing the Age Card! Like say we no no the Truth! #Overagenat hegame!
— Kelechi Nkoro (@K1Says) June 11, 2015

Now! its time for Us(Nigerians) to hope for the best. Having some of
this guys make it to the @NGSuperEag lesin 2-3years! #MainObjecti ve—
Kelechi Nkoro (@K1Says) June 11, 2015

Forget the victory for the Germans, the future is even brighter for
them. Watch them in 4-5 years…can't say same for Nigeria.
— Deji Faremi (@deejayfaremi) June 11, 2015

—naij