FOXBORO. July fl.Nigeria's star striker Rashidli1 Yeklnl launched a

bitter attack on codch Clemens Westerhof and his team mates after his country's 2-1 defeat by Italy In the World Cup second round on Tuesday, reports Reuter.

Yeklnl blamed Westerhof for tactical folly and said his teammates refused to pass him the ball as the Africans were dra matlcally eiiminated^from the tournament.

'I have always been against this coach." he said of Dutch-born Westerhof It is no secret (hat I don i like him and he doesn t like me. I tried to go against him long ago but my teammates did not support me.

As a result. I was played out of the game I never saw the ball.'

Yekini also criticised the replacement of fellow attackers. Daniel Amokachl and Emmanuel Amunlke. with midfield players

Amokachl who was injured In the first half, was substituted by Mutlu Adepoju. while Thompson Oliha was a second-half change for Amunlke Westerhof should have brought in another attacker to help me." said Yekini. who at 30 added he was unsure about his future international career He was the only dissenting voice among a disappoint? group of players at the Foxboro Stadium.

T have mixed feeling,' said teenage midfielder Sunday Oliseh. who will jota Italian club Reggiana next month.

Tm disappointed that we loot but I'm happy that we put up a good show today." he said

We just have to accept the defeat like men." added winger Flnidi George 1 hope we can do better In 1998"

Defender Augustine Egua voen. who conceded the extra time penalty that led to the defeat said no one player was to blame

When you touch any player in your own 18-yard box there is always a chance that you are going io give away a penalty 1 think we now have to put this behind us and look forward."

Added Oliseh: “We were leading with Just two minutes io go and we were enjoying ourselves We made a mistake, but that’s football.