USA Beats Nigeria 2-0 - Does Nigeria have a Chance at the World Cup?

The United States of America beat Nigeria 2-1 at EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida. A pair of goals from Jozy Altidore exposed the Super Eagles’ defensive frailties, while a late Victor Moses penalty was little consolation.

The mood has changed among Nigeria fans.

Before the match, even after unconvincing showings against Scotland and Greece, supporters fell into three categories. There were the dreamers, the realists and the pessimists.

Category 1, the dreamers, have largely fallen by the wayside. It’s hard to take someone seriously when they’re still backing Nigeria for a place in the final four after witnessing such an underwhelming defensive showing.

The realists are also beginning to recalibrate their World Cup predictions.

Those who were forecasting a spot in the quarter-finals are now claiming that a place in the Last 16 would be an achievement. Those who felt that Nigeria were guaranteed to make the knock-out stages and could take it from there are now starting to acknowledge that the Super Eagles may struggle to make it out of the group.

It’s impossible to know, before a ball has even been kicked, how things will pan out for Stephen Keshi’s men in Brazil.

Perhaps things will click for the match against Iran and they will be singing in Sokoto again this time next week, buoyed, once again, with optimism, and reinforced with the conviction that Africa’s champions are primed to make a continental breakthrough.

http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4082/editorial/2014/06/08/4869690/where-does-us-defeat-leave-nigeria?ICID=HP_HN_1