Malawi coach rues loss to Nigeria in World Cup qualifier

Tom Saintfiet

Abuja (Nigeria), Sep 8 (IANS) Malawi’s senior national football team coach Tom Saintfiet Sunday rued the loss to Nigeria’s ‘Super Eagles’ in a World Cup qualifying match.

Nigeria won 2-0 Saturday, reports Xinhua.

Saintfiet told reporters in Calabar, capital of southern Nigeria’s Cross River State where the match was played, that Super Eagles played well and deserved to win.

“We came with a game plan to make the first half goalless. But when Nigeria scored in the 45th minute, we knew it was over. Our plan was to come out and attack the Super Eagles in the second half but Nigeria took the game to us in the second half,” he said.

In spite of the loss, he said his players also did well and deserved to be praised.

“Actually as a coach, I came here to win the match. I wish Nigeria well in the final qualifying matches and pray that they qualify for the World Cup,” the coach added.

Nigeria is now through to the next round of qualifiers, topping Group F with five points ahead of the second placed Malawi.

Namibia and Kenya are third and fourth respectively.

The 20th FIFA World Cup will be hosted by Brazil from June 12 to July 13, 2014.