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Afcon 2019: I wish Algeria can retake the free-kick - Nigeria's Akpeyi

Daniel Akpeyi defended his teammates from criticism following Nigeria’s 2-1 defeat to Algeria in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) semi-final.

The Super Eagles looked to be in with a great chance of beating Djamel Belmadi’s men to reach the competition’s final after dismissing South Africa in the quarter-final.

However, a Riyad Mahrez last-minute free-kick sent Gernot Rohr’s men crashing after Odion Ighalo had erased Willam Troost-Ekong’s own goal.

Rohr’s team faced the wrath of fans for offering precious little in Cairo, but Akpeyi believes otherwise.

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“It’s very tough and very sad that we have to lose in that manner, to have conceded through that kind of free-kick,” Akpeyi told the media in Egypt.