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Flying Eagles head coach, Aliyu Zubairu, has shouldered full responsibility for Nigeria’s 4–0 defeat to Argentina in the Round of 16 of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, played on Wednesday at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Footynaija.com reports.
The result ended Nigeria’s campaign in disappointing fashion after qualifying for the knockout round as one of the best third-placed teams.
Speaking after the match, Zubairu lamented his players’ sluggish start and lack of intensity, admitting that Argentina’s early goal changed the game’s momentum.
“The early goal is part of what destabilizes us. We conceded a goal at a very early stage of the game. Even the second goal came not too far from the first goal,” he said.
The coach admitted his team struggled to press effectively or recover shape after losing possession, allowing Argentina too much room to exploit.
“That was what was giving the Argentines the opportunity and they saw a lot of space to operate. So anytime we lose the ball, we are not fighting back quickly,” Zubairu added.
Despite his frustration, he refused to single out players for blame.
“That’s football, sometimes it is like that. I take the blame. I take the responsibilities, not the boys. The day they won, they won. So when they lose today, I take responsibility.”
With the victory, Argentina will now face Mexico in the quarterfinals after the Mexicans thrashed hosts Chile 4–1.
