Former Nigeria International Idah Perterside,has commended the Super Eagles for the game against Iran and expressed confidence that the Nigerian team will not only qualify for the next round but would get to the semi-finals of the tournament.

He however attributed the barren draw to technical flaws by the team’s manager, Stephen keshi.

The former player, speaking on Channels TV breakfast programme Sunrise Daily, asserted that the inability of the Super Eagles to get goals was due to intense pressure. According to the ex-player, the team was too anxious for goals making the Iranian team to go all defensive.

Peterside, explained that the inability of the players to bear the pressure from the Iranian team cost them a victory in the game. He also mentioned that the ability to manage and tackle pressure is the hallmark of a great team.

The ex-player, asserted that the coach should have changed the formation of the game when he saw that the earlier plan was not yielding results. According to him, Keshi should have instructed the players to relax the tempo of the game and make the midfield more creative rather than concentrating on all attack strategy.

Peterside also attributed the lack of goals to the lack of respect for the Iranian team. Idah said if the Super Eagles had displayed respect for the Iranian team , the Iranian team would have come out to play its normal football, adding that the lack of respect made the Iranian team to go all defensive. According to Peterside, the mistake on the side of Keshi was his refusal to ask the players to relax the game.

The ex-Super Eagles player called for a change of tactics by the team’s manager in the next game against Bosnia. He also solicited for the understanding of all Nigerians. Speaking further the ex-player said a win against Bosnia in the next game would guarantee a place for the Super Eagles in the next round.

Consequently, Idah expressed confidence that the Nigerian team will not only qualify for the next round but would get to the semi-finals of the tournament. According to him, the draw in the first game is not a setback rather a challenge for the coach and the players to come all out and prove their worth.