After the defensive blunder that opened up the Super Eagles for a 2-nil spanking by Madagascar in the final group game of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, the culprit, Leon Balogun has apologised to Nigerian football fans, saying he takes “full responsibility” but also asking to be excused for being human.
Balogun took to his Twitter handle on Monday to explain that he feels awful but assured that the Super Eagles will rise up from what Nigerian fans see as a humiliation from a lowly ranked team.
Balogun wrote: “…You can love me or either leave me, but I’m only human and I make mistakes. Try not to hold that against me though. I accept full responsibility for my actions, so of you all expect me to be perfect, I apologize for being human. No mistake too great to recover and bounce back.”
While the Eagles were expected to conclude the group contests on a clean slate, Lalaina Nomenjanahary latched on Leon Balogun’s 13th minute to give Madagascar a shock lead.
The game was put beyond them Carious Andriamahitsinoro made it 2-0 through a second half free kick that got deflected by the Nigerian wall, leaving goal keeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa hopeless.
Leon’s statement has however been seen by many fans as short of contrite apology, pointing out that it exudes of arrogance.
Coach Gernot Rohr who has admitted that the Madagascans were better has also been criticised for wrong team rotation by which Nigeria finished second in a group with Burundi and Guinea when a draw could have put them atop the table with 7 points after two wins.
Nigeria is now to play the tournament defending champions, Cameroon in the round of 16.