Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo, has revealed that goalkeeper Maduka Okoye did not feel fine after conceding the only goal that sent Nigeria crashing out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Omeruo defended Okoye, saying that not many goalkeepers could have saved Youssef Msakni’s second half strike.
The Netherlands-based goalkeeper has since received criticisms and bashings from Nigerians for failing to save that particular strike that led to Nigeria’s defeat to Tunisia on Sunday.
“He is not feeling fine right now, but you know, I said to him ‘Listen, you’ve been amazing. It’s been a good tournament for you’,” Omeruo told BBC Sport Africa.
“Anybody can be beaten by that goal. It’s a good strike and also it wasn’t a clear situation, because (we) the defenders were in front of him as well, so that would distract his view as well.
“I wouldn’t say that goal was his fault at all.”
Before their disappointing defeat to Tunisia, the Super had beaten Egypt, Sudan and Guinea Bissau to qualify for the round of sixteen on maximum points.
Up next for Nigeria is their World Cup qualifying playoff against neighbours, Ghana coming up in February.
