Nigerian supporters are still angry about the Super Eagles’ inability to qualify for the World Cup after being eliminated in the playoff by Ghana last month, and have shown their anger after the West Africans announced a friendly against Mexico.
On Tuesday, the Nigeria Football Federation posted a message on Twitter, prompting supporters to voice their disgust in the comments area.
“Nigeria’s @NGSuperEagles will face the El Tri of Mexico in an international friendly game on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas. #SoarSuperEagles,” the NFF wrote.
“Ghana has turned Nigeria into training horses, now any country uses Nigeria as a rehearsal,” @sabutujoe began, in reference to the Black Stars, who halted Nigeria’s World Cup aspirations.
“Let’s hope this time they’ll not create the same mistakes they created against Ghana,” echoed Wise-Jyc Geoffrey Mhone on Facebook. “They’ll be enjoying watching the Black Stars representing West Africa at the World Cup.”
While Nigeria will be unable to compete in Qatar, Mexico will be represented in the global event after winning the Concacaf region.
“Now teams are using us to do training for the World Cup,” noted @teepheth, in response to the NFF’s tweet. “As usual, you will take five defensive midfielders without one creative midfielder and 10 strikers to go play the friendly. You are not a serious federation.”
Other fans have taken things to heart.
“When you have no plans for your life, people will always put you in their plans. Super chickens the guinea pig for World Cup-bound teams,” responded Poco A Poco, who feels the Super Eagles are just being used by their would-be rivals.
“They hope to bounce back and then get eliminated in the upcoming Afcon qualifiers by Sudan, or Comoros. Funny,” responded Hussaini Tijjani, who also seems to have lost faith in the team.
However, not everyone has given up on the Super Eagles.
“I will be there to cheer the team on. It’s still our Super Eagles no matter what. All we need now is a good and competent foreign coach to bring back the lost glory,” said @Ayphilydegreat, who feels the team will regain its lost glory if an overseas manager is handed the reins.
Even if they are not going to the World Cup, Ibrahim Abdulkadir Balarabe would like to be there and support the squad.
“Alright, that’s very nice. I am wishing for the Super Eagles victory in the friendly game against Mexico. Please, can you take me to Arlington, Texas to watch and support Super Eagles,” he appealed.
Nigerian supporters have suffered a traumatic three months, first witnessing their team exit the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in the second round in January, then missing out on a trip to Qatar when Ghana eliminated them in the two-legged World Cup playoff on away goals in March.
