[QODLink]
2008 Africa Cup of Nations
Nigeria in 'crisis meeting'
German coach Berti Vogts may have his tenure with the Super Eagles cut short.
Last Modified: 26 Jan 2008 14:00 GMT

Nigerian fans have been saddened by their team's inability to score goals at the African Cup [EPA]

The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) will discuss the future of their German coach Berti Vogts after the Super Eagles failed to beat Mali in a decisive Group B match of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.
 
Nigeria now risk an embarrassing first round elimination from the continental competition, a tournament they have not won since 1994.
"Everyone is disappointed with the performance of the team," a top Nigeria official said.
 
"Only something of a miracle will now see us qualify for the quarter-finals after we could not beat Mali on Friday.
"We will also review the performance of the team and that will of course include the performance of the coach."
 
Nigeria sit in third place in Group B with a single point from two matches after their goalless draw with fellow west Africans Mali, who now need only a draw with a depleted Ivory Coast team on Tuesday in Accra to reach the quarter-finals.
 
The last time the Super Eagles failed to go past the first round of the Nations Cup was in 1982 after losses to Algeria and Zambia.
 
No excuses 
 
Another official disclosed that Vogts, who took charge of the team in March 2007, may have lost favour with two of his most powerful backers and could well be asked to go even though his contract runs till 2010.
 

"The team do not have any excuse for this sort of performance."

Nigerian team official

"The team do not have any excuse for this sort of performance. We have played two matches with not a goal to show," said the team official.
 
"They were given everything they required and so we have to sit and evaluate the whole situation."
 
Nigeria begin their qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup with a home game against tournament hosts South Africa in May, and officials said they had planned to use the Nations Cup to prepare for this quest.
 
Disappointed Nigerian fans attacked the team bus as it made its way out of the Essipong Stadium in Sekondi after the Mali match late on Friday.
Source:
Agencies
Topics in this article
People
Country
Featured on Al Jazeera
The story of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and its emergence into the political arena after decades of suppression.
People & Power goes undercover to reveal how 'voluntourism' could be fuelling the exploitation of Cambodian children.
Secular fanaticism must be exposed for its own hatred and xenophobia, and get over the old cliches of East and West.
Although media coverage has dwindled, Occupy cells are alive and well all over the United States - and beyond.
Spotlight
Latest news and analysis as Egyptians elect first new president in post-Mubarak political era.
In-depth coverage of an escalating regional debate about Iran's geopolitical power and the West.
Violence continues as UN observers are deployed to monitor both sides' compliance with a peace plan.
join our mailing list

Enter Zip Code
Go