The Nigeria U20 coach says he is to blame for his side's elimination from the U20 Africa Cup of Nations at the hands of South Africa.
Amajita secured their place in the U20 AFCON final with a 1–0 victory over Nigeria.
Read: OFFICIAL: New CAF Champions League trophy on the way!
Stellenbosch FC star Tylon Smith scored the winning goal with a header in the 66th minute, booking a spot in the final against Morocco on Sunday, 18 May.
Nigeria, meanwhile, will play for third place against hosts Egypt on the same day.
Their manager, Aliyu Zubairu, accepted responsibility for the Flying Eagles' defeat to Amajita, although he acknowledged that some of his players had not met the required standard.
"I take full responsibility for our failure to reach the final. As head coach, the blame rests on me,” Zubairu told the media after the game, according to Daily Sports.
"This tournament has helped us identify the players capable of stepping up to the next level and those who are not.
"After our WAFU B success, we dropped many players because their quality wasn’t sufficient for the continental stage.
"A similar review will happen again. It’s clear that some of the current squad members aren’t ready for the demands of a World Cup."
Read: Nigeria star awoken from coma after serious injury
By Lukhanyo Mtuta
Follow him here on X
