Super Eagles stars blame referee for defeat to Algeria

Super Eagles stars blame referee for defeat to Algeria

Super Eagles forward Moses Simon has expressed his disappointment over Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to Algeria. However, he believes that the result could have been better if the referees were not biased in their decision.

Moses, who was Nigeria's captain for the game played at the Olympic stadium in Oran, argued that the game didn't go according to plan because the referees failed to give the right calls.

Nigeria went in front through Terem Moffi, who scored the opener in the 9th minute. Unfortunately for the three-time African champions, the North African rallied back through Youcef Atal scorcher and Riyad Mahrez's equaliser from the spot.

Nigeria were decent in the first half, and they even scored a goal that was wrongly ruled out for offside. And the penalty awarded to the Algerians shortly before half-time was manufactured.

“The game did not go as planned, but it’s part of the job, we learn every day,” Simon told NFF media.

“The referee made some wrong calls, but the coach told us to forget about it and play our game.

 “We just need to motivate ourselves. We play for pride, we play for family, we play for ourselves, and of course, we play for Nigerian fans.

“We’ll just give ourselves a boost, and even though our efforts failed to bring results, we will keep working hard.

In the same vein, Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi has blamed the match officials for Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to Algeria in Oran on Tuesday.

Centre referee Mehrez Malki and his assistants Y. Malloulchi and F. Jridi – all from Tunisia – were below par during the contest as several calls went against Jose Peseiro's men.

The first incident was the decision to disallow Ademola Lookman's goal despite not being in an offside position.

And shortly before halftime, the referee awarded Algeria a controversial penalty, which Manchester City man Riyad Mahrez expertly converted for the Desert Foxes’ equaliser.

Iwobi wrote on Twitter: “I Understand Refereeing Isn’t Easy At All & All Referees Should Be Treated With Respect… But Yesterday Was Surely Questionable Aha?”

The result for Nigeria meant that Peseiro has lost three of the six games under his guidance since his appointment as Super Eagles coach.

 

This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago

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