Former international, Friday Ekpo has warned Super Eagles players to desist from complaining about officiating at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations and instead concentrate more on winning their matches.

Reports emanating from the team's camp in South Africa show that the players are not happy with the two referees over what they described as questionable calls especially the penalty which was awarded in favour of the Chipolopolo of Zambia last Friday.

Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, the former Super Eagles midfielder said the players should stop complaining about referees and think of how to escape from the tight corner they have found themselves.

Ekpo charged the players to step up their performance when they take on Ethiopia tomorrow saying, if they spend too much time and energy crying over spilled milk, they would have themselves to blame.

"I want to advise the Eagles to stop complaining about the referees and play football. When you are playing well, you don't normally look at the officiating aspect of the game. They themselves are not playing up to expectations so they should stop behaving like the workman who blames his tools for his failures.

"Was it only Eagles that were penalized with a penalty kick?. The same referee they are complaining about awarded a penalty in our favour. If they continue to complain about officiating, they will be doing themselves more harm.

"They should spend more time thinking about the way out of their present situation. I am sure the Eagles need no seer to tell them that the match against Ethiopia is a must win. If they spend more time complaining over a match that has been played, they will pay dearly", he said.

Ekpo also advised the Eagles to work more on their concentration during games as he said it has been their undoing in the matches they played so far in South Africa.

He said "What I have observed from the matches they have played so far is that their concentration level is very poor. They easily lose concentration and that is not good. There are times you need total concentration in order to win.

"It is always disturbing when one sees the players toying with the ball in their box. It is not done. If you want to show skills or juggle with the ball, you do it away from your goal area where the risk is minimal".