Nigeria was unarguably the better team when both teams met, but they were unable to get the win against Morocco
Morocco coach Said Chiba has stated that their efficiency in attack was the reason they were able to defeat Nigeria's Golden Eaglets when both teams met in their second group game of the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria defeated Zambia 1-0 in their first game of the tournament, but they could not replicate that against Morocco.
An own goal from Tochukwu Ogboji in the second minute put the Golden Eaglets behind prematurely.
Unfortunately, the Golden Eaglets were unable to equalize. Coach Nduka Ugbade's team created many gilt-edged chances, but their profligacy was their undoing, and Morocco ran out 1-0 winners.
Morocco boss Chiba admits that Nigeria gave them a tough time, but he is happy that they stuck to their game plan.
“The game was very difficult and we didn’t have easy chances to score. But we used one of the three chances we had,” Chiba told CAF Media.
“We knew that Nigeria knew some of our tactics and we knew we had to be efficient in attack. We were patient and organized the whole game and I am pleased with our performance.
“What was difficult today is that we faced a very good and physical Nigeria side and it was not easy to get many chances.
“But it’s true we have some work to do offensively and we will try to do better on that,”
Next up for Nigeria is South Africa, who bounced back from a day one loss to Morocco to defeat Zambia 3-2. The Golden Eaglets just need a draw from the game to book their spot in the semifinal of the Nations Cup.
