We tormented Nigeria – Koto

Senegal coach Joseph Koto

Senegal coach Joseph Koto did not express any disappointment following his team’s loss to Nigeria in the final of the 2015 African U-20 Championship in Dakar on Sunday. The junior Teranga Lions were defeated 1-0 by the Flying Eagles, thus failing to break the jinx of not having won a continental title despite the huge talents the country churns out every year.

Rather, the coach said he was very happy because his team showed impressive improvement from their last game against Nigeria which they “timidly” lost 3-1.

“I said earlier that we lost heavily to Nigeria in the group stage because my players were scared of the Flying Eagles. But in the final, everybody saw how they engaged Nigeria from start to finish. That is a good sign ahead of the junior World Cup in New Zealand,” Koto said.

“Nigeria played with high professionalism and admirable experience and that helped them over us. In football you learn everyday and that learning process comes while playing, while losing and while winning.

“We have nothing to regret. We are happy. We’ll turn our focus to the World Cup and begin preparations immediately.”