‘We Were Not Good Enough’ – Aribo Reacts As Nigeria Exit AFCON

Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo says Nigeria’s loss to Tunisia in the Round of 16 of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon was not surprising.

Naija News reports that Nigeria crashed out of the tournament on Sunday after a 0-1 loss to the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in the Round of 16.

A second-half goal from Youssef Msakni was enough to send the three-time African champions out of the tournament.

Speaking with reporters after the match, Aribo disclosed that the Super Eagles lost to the Carthage Eagles due to the fact that they played average and not just good enough on the night.

He dismissed reports that Nigeria underestimated the Tunisians following the news of the COVID-19 outbreak in their camp, saying that the players always go into every game with respect for the opponents.

The Rangers of Scotland midfielder added that the team should have been better in the 90 minutes but took too long to respond and lost the match.

Aribo, however, disclosed that the exit from the tournament had dampened the mood in the camp.

He said: “I wouldn’t say we underestimated Tunisia, we always go into every game with respect for our opponents, so we have nothing to do with underestimating them. They had a good game plan but we weren’t just good enough on the day

“I think we started the game really slow, we allowed them to get a full hold of the game, we can’t take anything away from them but we should have been better in the 90 minutes we just took too long to respond and when we started playing, we had the red card.

“That’s not how we wanted things to go and the way it is in camp now, no one is happy.”