Kelechi Iheanacho, a forward for the Super Eagles, expressed his disappointment that his team did not win the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast but promised that they would return.
Dreams of a fourth continental championship were dashed for Nigeria when they lost 2-1 to Ivory Coast at the Stade Alassane Ouattara.
Following a disorganised beginning to the competition in which they drew 1-1 with Equatorial Guinea in their opening match, the Eagles stepped up their play in their second encounter with the hosts, winning 1-0, and going undefeated until their last match in the championship against the Elephants.
In the round of 16, they easily defeated Cameroon to set up a date with Angola, whom they defeated 1-0, following their victory over Guinea-Bissau in the last group stage.
In the semifinals, Jose Peseiro’s team battled through a 1-1 draw in regulation time with an additional half-hour to win 4-2 via penalty shootouts.
They led 2-1 at one point thanks to William Troost-Ekong, but unfortunately they were unable to overcome the hosts for the second time.
After the loss, many Eagles players started crying, and some fans started attacking Alex Iwobi.”This is usually a painful experience where you do not see the trophy but you do not touch me,” he wrote.
“We will be back. Thank you to all Nigerians who supported us. God bless you all, let’s keep believing. Thank you Most High God,” Iheanacho wrote.
World Cup qualifying, which is scheduled for May of this year, will be the Super Eagles’ next challenge.