'The pitch didn't help' - Troost-Ekong reacts to Ghana defenders pocketing Chukwueze, Simon

William Troost-Ekong has blamed the playing surface for the lackluster display of Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon in Nigeria's goalless draw against Ghana on Friday night.

The ineffective Villarreal and Nantes wingers had to make way for Emmanuel Dennis and Ademola Lookman in the second half.

Augustine Eguavoen's tactical naivety was the main reason the Super Eagles failed to score a goal against the Black Stars as his wingers were caged, thereby starving Victor Osimhen of service.

The Ghanaians blasted Eguavoen for being a one-dimensional coach, noting that he should have tweaked his tactics after the Black Stars defenders prevented Chukwueze and Simon from wreaking havoc.

Reacting to what was observed by the Ghanaian media, Troost-Ekong said at the post-match press conference : "Of course it was difficult for the players on the wing, I think the pitch didn't help, it was a very dry pitch. You saw sometimes they struggled moving the ball quickly.

"But I think it's also great work from Ghana that they figured out how to defend the wings well, and in theory that should open up some more space for us through the middle but everybody was quite scared of Victor and they were two against one most of the time.

"We have learned from today and we'll try to exploit the defence in a different way but like the coach said we still managed to get through one to two times so we just have to be a little bit more clinical.

"Against a good team like Ghana, you might only get one, two or three good chances, you have to score otherwise you can't win the game".