Kenneth Omeruo was not a fan of Nigeria's defensive tactics against Ivory Coast and the barren attack in the AFCON 2023 final.
Former AFCON winner defender Kenneth Omeruo has admitted that the Super Eagles have only themselves to blame after losing to Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that Cote d’Ivoire defeated the Super Eagles 2-1 in the final on Sunday and Omeruo has blamed Jose Peseiro’s tactics for the painful loss.
![Nigerians question Peseiro's style despite Super Eagles' AFCON final run](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/17012024/08716844-392e-4be4-b606-9fdf6da21db7.png?operations=fit(180:))
13:26 - 12.02.2024
Nigerians question Peseiro's style despite Super Eagles' AFCON final run
Jose Peseiro's tactics have come under the storm following Nigeria's defeat to Ivory Coast in the AFCON 2023 final.
![We didn't lose our lives - Oshoala keeps perspective after Super Eagles AFCON agony](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/12022024/759c5bed-15b5-4bf8-8873-4a4b6af92bc1.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
12:49 - 12.02.2024
We didn't lose our lives - Oshoala keeps perspective after Super Eagles AFCON agony
Nigerian football star Asisat Oshoala emphasises the importance of maintaining perspective following Nigeria's defeat in the AFCON final.
Omeruo on Nigeria
The Kasimpasa star spoke to the media moments after the Elephants ended Nigeria’s dream of a fourth African title.
Speaking after the defeat, a dejected but brutally honest Omeruo stated that the Eagles played too deeply while dealing with a barren attack against the host nation.
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"I don't know,” Omeruo said according to a video posted on Instagram after the game.
“I think it wasn’t our day. We couldn’t create a lot of chances and we played too deep."
![](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/12022024/4e9108b6-7d67-4314-a086-85b5c7305f1e.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
The 2013 AFCON winner congratulated Ivory Coast but felt Nigeria's shortcomings proved decisive before he revealed the mood in the Nigerian camp was one of deep disappointment.
"They (Super Eagles players) are sad, obviously,” he added. “It’s heartbreaking, they have worked hard and deserved to win this trophy but we’ve lost it.”
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Looking ahead, the Turkey-based player stated: "For me, it’s back to my club, train and get ready for Friday’s game."
Omeruo and Kasimpasa will host Fatih Karagumruk in a Super Lig encounter on Friday.