FCT Football Association Chairman Adam Mouktar Mohammed sees the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw as preferable to a defeat in the AFCON opener
Mohammed acknowledges challenges like heat and humidity, emphasizing the need for a draw against Cote d’Ivoire in the next match
The Chairman of the FCT Football Association, Alhaji Adam Mouktar Mohammed, has emphasized that the 1-1 draw secured by the Super Eagles in their opening match of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations against Equatorial Guinea is preferable to an outright defeat.
In the Group A fixture played in Abidjan, the three-time African champions had to rally to earn a point after falling behind in the 36th minute. Despite the Super Eagles demonstrating early intent, Equatorial Guinea took the lead through Iban Slavador.
However, the Super Eagles quickly responded, with Osimhen heading in Ademola Lookman’s precise cross from the left in less than two minutes.
As the match resumed, neither side could break the deadlock, and the sustained pressure from the Super Eagles towards the end of the match yielded no further goals.
Reacting to the match’s outcome, Mohammed commented, “In football, the result can go three ways: win, draw, or lose. We pushed for the win, but we had to settle for a draw. It’s better than losing.”
Mohammed attributed challenges such as the heat, humidity, and poor pitch as factors affecting the players. Looking ahead, he acknowledged the upcoming tough match against the hosts and emphasized the need for at least a draw to stay on track in the tournament. Failing to achieve this, Mohammed highlighted the risk of an early exit from the competition.
The Super Eagles are set to face the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in their next match on Thursday.
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