Former Nigeria captain blames nerves for Harry Kane penalty miss against France 

Former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay Jay Okocha believes Harry Kane was nervous before his second penalty for England in a quarterfinal match on Saturday night as the 1966 World Cup winners get eliminated from the tournament.

England were beaten 2-1 by the defending champions with Aurelien Tchouameni and Olivier Giroud netting for France while Harry Kane scored one penalty and missed another from 12 yards for England. 

Okocha while on analysis duty for SuperSport bared his thoughts on Kane missing a spot kick in the 84th minute which was awarded after Hernandez's rash challenge on Mason Mount. 

"I thought that he (Kane) was nervous. His nerves got the best out of him because  penalty is a mind game especially when you scored one," Okocha said on SuperSport live World Cup studio. 

"You start wondering should I go the second corner, should I change things and I think he was caught in two minds.

"But take nothing away from Les Bleus. They came with a game plan and I think it's typical of this tournament. 

"Teams have found ways to win games. They don't care if it's ugly. They will take the results and they (France) played for the result today," the former PSG midfielder stressed.

France will play against Morocco Wednesday evening at the Al Bayt Stadium in Doha in the second semifinals match of Qatar 2022.

 Izuchukwu Michael

Photo Credit : fifa.com

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