Super Eagles second goalkeeper Austin Ejide has described the performance of the Super Eagles at the FIFA World Cup tournament which ended last night in Brazil as optimal.

He made the statement in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Chicago, United States of America, saying that the team displayed their best performance but unfortunately ended up not returning home with the trophy.

According to Ejide, “Super Eagles failed to bring down the tournament cup to Nigeria, Africa not because of lack of techniques or fear of the teams they played but simply because the god of soccer decided otherwise.

“We did our training with every optimism and looked forward to clinching the victory but it did not just work out the way we expected. It was painful and unfortunate.”

Ejide expressed his delight at making his third World Cup outing, adding that it was hoped that the team would get to quarter-finals, semi-finals or even the final stage as the team was highly prepared in spite of all militating factors.

He pointed to non-payment of players’ dues as one of the factors that militating against the success of the team.

Ejide said: “We decided to open up to tell Nigerians that we are not financially well motivated

as is obtainable in Western world where players receive their dues before and immediately after the matches.

“The team made the statement for record purposes and went on with their plans of going to get goals but it happened the unexpected way.

“I believe that the team did well considering the teams they played. The coach did the greater job in keeping the team together. The players, in turn, performed optimally. I think we should consolidate on efforts on ground for future outings.”

Ejide disclaimed the story making round that the team deliberately played below standard because of the allowances being owed the players, saying that the teams they played were no walk-overs.

He noted that in life plans do not always go as one expects, adding that all the players were in good spirit to play patriotically and attributed all lapses to destiny.

The Super Eagles second choice goalkeeper said that more prayers should be inducted into the team in order to enhance progress, especially with the qualifiers for Africa Nations Cup coming up in September.

He further pointed out that the country has been favoured under Coach Stephen Keshi and called on the government as well as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to encourage him to do more in order to achieve more. “Nigerians should believe in him,” Ejide said.

It would be recalled that crashed out of the World Cup won by Germany after losing 0-2 to France in a Round of 16 tie.

Ejide, who plays for Hapoel Beersheva of Israel, was in Chicago with his wife Chito and son Munanchi to mark their fourth marriage anniversary and dedication of their second child, Miss Chimamanda Ejide, at St Margaret of Scotland, Chicago.

•Photo shows Ejide with his wife Chito and baby daughter Chimamanda.

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