Now the dust has settled and the pang of Marcos Rojo 86th minute volley is less harrowing, there remains the question what next for the young Super Eagles side.

It was instructive to see the vortex of opinions and hot-takes for the reason the Super Eagles were ousted from the World Cup. The Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, blamed it on Gernot Rohr’s inability to manage the game.

“We lost the match due to poor technical judgment which failed to inject necessary changes to compliment (sic) the effort of the team that was under last minute pressure,” the Minister tweeted.

However, coach Rohr said the team lost because of its inexperience. “We were very fantastic and just within a few minutes of going through, we lost because we lacked the big match experience. Most of the Argentines are Champions League stars, who know how to exert pressure to get a desired result.”

Most would disagree, preferring to hang Odion Ighalo to the blame-shaped pike. The striker missed two gilt-edged chances in the match against Argentina. He was one-on-one against Franco Armani from an acute angle in the 83rd minute but hit couldn’t bury the chance.

The shot on target earned Ighalo 163 points on Twelve but most would have preferred he got the 1000 points from scoring a goal. His execution of the second chance was even poorer, rushing to hit a volley wide after Rojo got a touch on Ahmed Musa’s deflected cross. The more superstitious cursed the ill-luck of the dark green jersey.

It would even be surprising to most that the two players culpable for both goals were top of Twelve’s leaderboard. Although, Moses got 1000 points for his calmly-taken penalty, he was on the wrongside of Rojo for the crushing late goal.

But Moses was solid for the most part, earning 492 defence points, as well as Kenneth Omeruo who led on the defensive front with 628 points. Omeruo didn’t spot Lionel Messi’s run behind him and didn’t close Messi down well enough though.

Wherever the blame eventually rests, the young team could have done better but have left the competition with their pride intact. The team will look back on the Croatia match as one that perhaps should have gone differently had they been more assertive. Perhaps Rohr will rue not starting the competition with a 3-man defence with Omeruo in place?

Omeruo made the team more solid defensively, winning aerial duels after Rohr switched to a back three for the Iceland game. Maybe it will be the insistence on playing Mikel as a ‘10’ and putting Alex Iwobi out wide that sticks out during his introspection. However, it is a young squad which he is contracted to lead for the next two years.

The progress with the side has been clear, as the team is more disciplined and focused with a better fostered sense of the collective. Wilfred Ndidi, who garnered the most Twelve point system over the three games is just 21 years old and will only improve. Ahmed Musa, considered as Leicester City’s worst signing, showed why he was worth the record £16 million Leicester paid CSKA Moscow with his pace, dribbles and goals. Moses Simon, who has been linked with Liverpool, was sorely missed by the Super Eagles. The 22 year- old was injured for the World Cup, therefore couldn’t use his searing pace and directness on the wings.

Ginormous goalkeeper Francis Uzoho is only 19 and has shown he is one for the future while Iwobi, who didn’t get many minutes in Russia, will step into the side to infuse some creativity. New Stoke City signing Oghenekaro Etebo would have surprised outsiders with his energetic and mature performance but his quality was abundantly clear. Many criticised his move to the Championship before he kicked a ball at the tournament, stating it was a step too low for someone of his impressive abilities.

For the Super Eagles, the future couldn’t be brighter. Four years is a long time out but if this team of impressive youngsters sticks together, Qatar 2022 could be where the Super Eagles truly soar at a World Cup. However, the side need to get back into the Africa Cup of Nations to begin a continental domination first, after missing out on the last two editions.