Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has given several explanations on why the Super Eagles failed to beat the Iranians in their Group F World Cup match played in Curitiba, Brazil, on Monday.
The Nigerian team which featured professionals from the European leagues were highly tipped to beat the Iranians that paraded mainly amateur players from their domestic league. Ashkan Dejakah of Fulham is Iran’s biggest star in Brazil.
Keshi told the international media after the game that a few things didn’t follow the script including Osaze Odemwingie’s contribution in the match that ended goalless. The coach said the Stoke City striker failed to play to instruction and that caused the Eagles setback.
He said, "The Osaze you are talking about didn’t do well. Osaze did not play to instruction and that affected the team."
Meanwhile, in an interview with BBC World Service, Odemwingie said, "We expected three points from this game but everybody knows the most important game is between ourselves and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
"Next game I think will be easier and I think that will be the decider of where we will be at this World Cup."
Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel echoed his teammate’s disappointment.
"We know what it means to win your opening match at the World Cup and we thought we had a good chance of winning," he said. We need to raise our game if we want to reach the next round.
"We prepared very well for this World Cup and we can’t afford to drop another point in our remaining games."
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