Olympic Qualifier: Falcons’ Loss, A Disgrace —Disu

Former coach of the Flying Eagles, Tunde Disu, has described the failure of Nigeria’s Super Falcons to secure the ticket to play in the 2012 Olympic Games as a disgrace to the nation.

The Falcons lost the ticket to Cameroon last weekend when they were beaten in a game decided through penalty shootout.

Disu said the loss to Cameroon was a disgrace and a slight on the Falcons’ eminent position in Africa. The Saudi ‘89 Under 20 World Cup coach told News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that the team’s inability to qualify for the football event of the London 2012 Olympic Games was a great disappointment to their fans, both at home and in the Diaspora.

Disu noted that the team lacked the required strategy and tactics to prevail over their Cameroonian opponents.

“The team fell short of fans’ expectations; it was a performance that was not worthy of their eminent position in Africa. As a person, I am thoroughly disappointed at their performance,” he said.

He added that Falcons’ loss meant that the U-23 Eagles handled by Austin Eguavoen would have to work very hard as they prepare for the Olympics play-off in Morocco.

“The pressure is now on the U-23 team, since they are now the only team that could redeem the country’s international football image,” the former Flying Eagles coach said.

Meanwhile, the Media Officer of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Demola Olajire, has denied reports making the rounds that the football governing body had sacked the head coach of Super Falcons, Uche Eucharia after failing to qualify for the Olympics Games in London.

Olajire told Brila FM early today that there is no truth in the report as it will be very hasty for the NFF to relieve Eucharia of her job without following due process.

—Bamidele Olowosagba