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Nigeria/Côte d'Ivoire: Vogts Hits Hard On Critics
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Vanguard (Lagos)
23 January 2008
Posted to the web 23 January 2008
Tony Ubani
Lagos
HARD-FACED German handler of the Eagles who raised the blood pressure of Nigerians during the match against Cote d'Ivoire has hit out at critics who blamed him for wrong selection and substitutions during the 1-0 defeat at the Sekondi Stadium in Ghana.
"I am in charge of the team and I determine who plays and who does not play", the German said moments after the Ivoriens erupted into wild celebration following Salmon Kalou's solo effort that earned them victory.
That he was in charge was not in doubt. Many Nigerians in Sekondi had queried the inclusion of Ayo Makinwa who replaced Obafemi Martins and reduced the strength of the team as the Elephants trampled on the hapless Eagles.
Also many were miffed that Vogts refused to make good use of his bench which had ferocious attacking Ikechukwu Uche and Obinna Nsofor. As always, Vogts was adamant and refused to accept that he made a mistake.
"I cannot say because the Eagles lost and regret my choice of players. Makinwa did well in the match and remains one of my best players", Vogts said at the post match conference where tempers flared by angry Nigerian journalists who wanted to skin him alive. Makinwa had repeatedly performed below par for Eagles but Vogts kept fielding him.
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The conference center was equally charged as Ivorien journalists protested that all questions were being asked by the Nigerian journalists. Didier Drogba, the big man of Ivory Coast stood up and calmed them down. Apparently aware that the place was getting more charged, Vogts surrounded by security men made for the exit.
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