Changing fortunes

Nigerian fans demand team overhaul

LAGOS (Reuters) -- Nigerian fans, upset after their team was eliminated from the African Nations Cup in a 2-1 semifinal defeat to Senegal, demanded an overhaul of the national team Friday.

Fans called for players in the side to be replaced by dedicated campaigners after Nigeria were knocked out in dramatic fashion Thursday in a stormy match, which included three sendings off.

"The team should be overhauled. We should inject players who are looking for glory and not players who are looking for money like the big boys we now have," said an angry caller on a state radio phone-in programme who gave his name as Richard.

"The Super Eagles were prepared to lose the match even before it started."

The star-studded Nigerian side refused to train Tuesday, two days before the clash against Senegal, because of disputes over money, local newspapers said.

The Nigerians, one of the power houses in African soccer featuring many foreign based players like Arsenal's Nwankwu Kanu, were expected to easily defeat Senegal.

But even though Senegal played for more than an hour with 10 men, Nigeria was unable to overcome their rivals and finished with nine players itself after Julius Aghahowa and Ifeanyi Udeze were dismissed in extra time.

Fans also complained that many players remained in the squad despite being past their prime.

"Yesterday (Thursday) was a sad day," said a disappointed caller who gave his name as Godwin. "I want the Super Eagles to be reorganized. For us to make any impact at the World Cup, three quarters of the squad has to be dropped."

Nigeria, drawn in the toughest first round group at the World Cup finals along with Argentina, England and Sweden, has twice won the African Nations Cup in 1980 and 1994.

Callers also demanded the resignation of the coaching team. "We lost the game right from the bench," a fan identified as Paul said. "They (coaches) could not read the Senegalese. They should resign honorably."

Nigerian soccer officials had said coach Shaibu Amodu would be replaced for the World Cup, which starts on May 31, if the team failed to lift the African Nations Cup.

Nigeria went to the tournament with little preparation having played only three friendlies since July when it qualified for the World Cup finals in Korea/Japan.

 

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