Former Nigeria international blames Virgil van Dijk, De Jong for Ecuador's goal v Netherlands
Published: November 25, 2022
Former Nigeria international Efan Ekoku on Friday evening put the blame squarely on two Dutch players for the goal scored by Ecuador's Enner Valencia in The Netherlands' 1-1 draw against Ecuador in both teams' second Group A match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Ekoku was on commentary duty for the game and berated the experienced duo of Virgil van Dijk and De Jong for Valencia's equaliser after Cody Gakpo's goal.
"The only question is: did he stay onside? If Valencia already knew. Estupinan have a real Canon of a left foot and the goalkeeper wasn't able to hold it," the onetime Norwich City star said on the World Cup world feed.
"The goalkeeper came towards that ball. It was a casual play from Frenkie de Jong. They were outmuscled in the middle of the park. The right back was onside, clearly onside, played on by Nathan Ake.
"Virgil van Dijk has got to get the ball a lot quicker. That was casual defending. You've got to throw yourself to the challenge.
"The Dutch captain, I think, he was almost culpable as Frank de Hong as he payed a casual pass to a teammate," Ekoku who was part of the Super Eagles side that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia said.
Ecuador will face Senegal while the Netherlands will play hosts Qatar who are already eliminated from the tournament in the third round of matches in the group.
Izuchukwu Michael
Photo Credit : onsoranje.nl
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- Done deal: Super Falcons-eligible goalkeeper returns to Portsmouth after release by Brighton
- Super Falcons player ratings: Demehin, Ohale star women; Okoronkwo outstanding; Ajibade pulls the strings
- Wafcon Nigeria 5 Zambia 0: Five observations from Super Falcons' statement win v Copper Queens
- Nigeria 5 Zambia 0: Ohale, Okoronkwo, Ihezuo, Demehin, Ijamilusi find the net in statement win
- Chido Obi named in travelling squad for Man Utd's pre-season fixture against Leeds United
- Super Eagles 2 Ojodu City 0: Bankole and Ijeoma on target for Eric Chelle's team in friendly
- Official: Outfielder-turned-GK signs new Arsenal contract; eligible for Nigeria, Ghana, England
- Rangers include two Nigerians in squad for UEFA Champions League second round qualifier
- Banda, Chanda and more: Four Zambian players Super Falcons must silence in Wafcon clash
- Son of Arsenal legend who faced Nigeria three times at Afcon inks new contract with Chelsea


- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Football Betting
- Polish Football
- VT88
- VT88
- keo nha cai
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football
- SHBET
- okvip
- keo nha cai
- F168
- F168
- F168
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88