Nigeria crashed out of the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup in disappointing fashion, losing to Netherlands in the first knockout round but details of the team’s failure are beginning to emerge with one of the team’s most influential stars shedding light on some behind-the-scene happenings.
Akinkunmi Amoo, popularly referred to as Nigeria’s Messi due to his dribbling skills has revealed why the team failed to meet the targets set for them before the tournament kicked off.
“We did well but unfortunately we lost to the Netherlands in the round of 16 due to lack of communication with each other but our performance was very good,” said Amoo, according to All Nigeria Soccer, as monitored by Soccernet.ng.
“Our aim was to reach the semifinal and then focus on the final if we qualify.
“The defenders were not communicating well, second goal we conceded against Netherlands four of our defenders were together.
“We had a meeting together, discussed about everything and decided to focus on our next game with Australia.
”We played well against Australia but luck was against us, we created a lot of chances, maximum of 34 chances we created that day.
”We played 4-4-2 diamond formation but for the coach it is 1-8-1, that’s what he told us to play.
”Tijani was the team leader on the pitch. Anybody can lead, even me, I can position the players, we encourage each other.”
