Football fans in Garoua (Cameroon) have continued to lament what they describe as the surprise exit of Super Eagles from the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Eagles on Sunday in Garoua crashed out in the round of 16 after losing to their less fancied Tunisian opponent 0-1.
The Super Eagles who had made Garoua a sort of fortress, winning all their three group games in style and endearing the local fans could not fly against their tricky north African foe.
A NAN correspondent in Garoua who spoke to some of the professionals and fans after the match reports that it was all shock for most of them who had tipped the Eagles to go all the way to the finals.
Anye Derick, a goalkeeper with Coton Sport FC de Garoua, the most famous club in the town said he was shocked at the Super Eagles loss to Tunisia.
He said he, his teammates and by extension the whole of Garoua have been supporting the Eagles because of the array of stars in the team.
“Honestly I was not happy with the result, we wanted the super Eagles to win.
“You know they (Super Eagles) even played a friendly match with us when they first arrived Garoua, so were all rooting for them,” he said.
Ayuk Ashu, a sports journalist with Cameroon Radio, Television (CRTV) told NAN that the Super Eagles might have underated the Tunisians.
“I think the Super Eagles did not play well on the night, they might have underrated the Tunisians.
“Tactically I think the substitutions also came too early and of course the red card really affected the team, but that is football,” he said.
Issa Abraham, a businessman said he had to travel to Garoua just to see the Super Eagles play but was surprised they didn’t turn up against the Tunisians.
“You know you have a very good and young team but I was surprised the way they played against the Tunisians.
“Garoua fans are really in love with the Super Eagles because we are like brothers but they didn’t play well in this match,” he said.
Daouda Aboubakar, a taxi driver said he had decorated his cab with the green and white colours to celebrate Nigeria’s victory but was disappointed at the end of the day.
“Nigeria play good football but yesterday there was no coordination in their play, as you can see the whole town is sad.
“Of course it will also affect my business because since the AFCON started most of my passengers have been Nigerians,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tunisia who won the AFCON title in 2004 will now face Burkina-Faso in the quarter-finals stage on Saturday in Garoua.
NAN reports that Nigeria won the trophy in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
Nigeria was also runner up in 1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000.
(NAN)
