Cape Verde head coach Pedro ‘Bubista’ Leitao says losing to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the manner which they did shouldn’t be tagged as shameful as Nigeria is simply one of the best teams in Africa.
Bubista watched from the touchlines as his boys threw away a one goal lead to lose 2-1 with goals from Victor Osimhen and a calamitous own goals canceling out the opening strike by Bryan Tavares.
He said losing to Nigeria is a not a shameful or bad thing, urging the football loving people of Tanzania to show courage and humility in recognizing Nigeria as one of the best in the continent.
“Cape Verde doesn’t have to be reluctant to lose to Nigeria.
“Nigeria are one of the best teams in Africa. We have to have the courage and the humility to know that Nigeria are also an extremely strong team and losing to Nigeria is not a bad thing.
“An own goal is always difficult. It was a shame because it happened at a time when we were resuming the game, we had refreshed the team.
“But it does happen. We are not here to blame anyone individually. In our team, we always win together and lose together, ”Bubista said in the post-match press conference.