Home-Eagles Can Impress – Chukwu -Throws Weight Behind Keshi, Players By Bibian Onwugbolu, In Enugu Former Super Eagles coach, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu has thrown his weight behind current handler of the side, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi and his home-based players to excel in this weekend’s second leg final qualifier of the 2014 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) away to Cote d’Ivoire. Although ‘Chairman’ Chukwu said it would not be wise for Keshi and his squad to rely solely on the fact that they won the first leg 4-1 ion Kaduna, he insists the squad has what it takes to seal a spot in the competition among home-based African players for the first time since its past two editions held without Nigeria in attendance. However, while speaking in an interview with SportsDay in Enugu, Chukwu advised the team’s technical crew not to underrate the Ivorians in Saturday’s return leg qualifier billed for Abidjan. Chukwu, however, stated further that he expects the Eagles to improve on their standard and wants them to consolidate on their strides made so far, since they started the competition well with a stunning performance over their Ivorian counterparts. The Nations Cup 1980-winning Eagles’ skipper predicted that the home-based players will make Nigerians proud and qualify for CHAN 2014, from January 10 to February 1 in South Africa, and urged soccer fans to support the team because ‘Rome was not built in a day.’ He then concluded with a declaration that Keshi has the right combination of players and materials for every competition and is of a view that they only need further grooming and training to make the country proud. “It was an emphatic victory by the home-based Super Eagles over visiting Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the first match and I believe that they would do better in the return leg. “I knew the first leg match in Kaduna was a bonus for us, but I never expected so much goals margins. The result of the first leg marveled me. “The team had raised everyone’s hope with the first leg brilliant result and should strive not to dash Nigerians’ hope in the return leg and the subsequent matches. “I plead with Nigerian’s to cooperate with Keshi and the team, and encourage them in their own little way because it is only through their cooperation that we can get it all right. “I recall that this is the first time we are participating in this competition and I want us to utilise it well and convert all our scoring chances to goals, ’’ Chukwu said.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 19:09:24 +0000
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