Super Eagles defender Brian Idowu has blamed inexperience for the team’s unfortunate exit from the ongoing FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia.

Nigeria suffered a 2-1 defeat to Argentina in their final Group D game to exit the tournament when a draw would have taken Gernot Rohr’s team into the knockout stage.

The result took Argentina into the last 16 at the expense of Nigeria.

Amkar Perm left-back Idowu was speaking about the team in a chat with reporters in Russia.

In his words via Punch, Brian Idowu said: “We are very disappointed we lost at the last moment and failed to qualify for the next round of the tournament.”

“It is a very tough defeat but we must keep improving and not make such mistakes (in the future).

“I believe the experience we got in the tournament will help us return a stronger team.”

On Marcos Rojo’s winner, Brian Idowu added: “As I was running to close down Gabriel Mercado, he crossed the ball to his teammate (Rojo) in the centre for their winning goal.”

Brian Idowu started all of Nigeria’s three group games but he was powerless to prevent the Super Eagles from suffering an early exit from the tournament.