Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Temitope Ajayi, has appealed to Nigerians not to “crucify” the Super Eagles following their 1–1 draw against South Africa in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.
Speaking during a meeting with Fellows of the MTN Media Innovation Programme Cohort 4 in Pretoria, on Thursday, Ajayi urged fans to show understanding, stressing that the players gave their best under difficult circumstances.
(“They did their best. It was not their fault. The pitch was wetted just 10 minutes before the match, and from the blast of the whistle, the South African fans intimidated the Eagles with their voices,” he said.)
Ajayi, however, criticized the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for what he described as slow and inadequate preparation for the encounter.
According to him, the team’s commitment could not be faulted, but “the odds worked against us.”
He further encouraged the players not to allow their spirits to be dampened, expressing confidence in their ability to bounce back stronger in future matches.
ait.live Yemi Adebayo reports that the Acting High Commissioner reaffirmed his belief in the Super Eagles’ resilience, insisting that with better preparation, the team can overcome the challenges ahead.
(Editor: Ena Agbanoma)
