Super Eagles of Nigeria lost their first Group D game at the mundial to Croatia on Saturday and the Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi blamed the loss to the way they approached the game by defending too deep to the advantage of the opponents.

He also implore the supporters to keep supporting them as they are ready to improve their game as the championship goes on.

“We have to improve together as a team. Everybody has to improve. If we didn’t concede the goal through a set-piece we would have been fine. It’s difficult to defend quite deep,” Mikel told journalists after match at the Kaliningrad Stadium.

“If you get the ball you should move closer to the opponents’ goal. It’s something we have to discuss together as a team and see what we can do about it. “There is no denying the fact that we have to play better. We lost the game today, it has happened. Now we have to do better.

“We appreciate our supporters who travelled the long distance to come here and support the team. We will fight harder in the next two games, and I am optimistic that we still have chance of qualifying from the group. But we must double our hard work, this is very important. Our supporters here and back home should keep supporting us.”

Nigeria have an opportunity to redeem themselves as they take on Iceland in their next Group D game on Friday.

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