CHAN 2018: Some football enthusiasts expect Super Eagles to perform well

NAN-S-5
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By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, Nov. 20, 2017 (NAN) Some football stakeholders on Monday said that the Super Eagles should be able to perform well at the Morocco 2018 CHAN, because of the quality of the teams in their group.
The fans spoke against the backdrop of the draws for the upcoming tournament for the continent’s domestic league players, which placed Nigeria in Group C, alongside Rwanda, Equatorial Guinea and Libya.
The home-based Eagles have in the past not been as lucky in the biennial championship, with a third place finish as their highest accomplishment.
Enitan Obadina, a sports journalist, told NAN that the Morocco edition of the CHAN should be a walkover for the Super Eagles.
“Yes, we got an easy draw and this should propel the home-based Eagles to perform better. It is an opportunity for them to showcase whatever they have.
“A good outing for them may warm the heart of the Super Eagles coach, Genort Rohr and maybe a place in the world cup squad.
“They don’t have many chances, but this CHAN might be the chance they have been waiting for; if they play well, they might get it.
“The group actually favours them, maybe the toughest opponent might be Rwanda, others should be easy to deal with,” he said.
Similarly, Ibukun Aluko, another sports journalist, said that the selection of players might be the headache coach Salisu Yusuf would have to contend with.
“Team selection might be a little issue for Salisu Yusuf, as he needs to get the best legs to prove to other African teams that we are the true kings of Africa.
“We are lucky to get an easy group containing some minnows, but technically, there are no minnows in football anymore.
“If the issue of team selection can be handled fairly, then the onus rests on the players to ensure that they perform well, to earn a spot in the world cup squad.
“Nigeria as we are now stands the chance of winning the tournament which has eluded us in the past,” he said.
Christopher Ezechi, a Lagos businessman, told NAN that the home- based Super Eagles players should strive to do well and win their group.
“If they focus on the task, they should be able to defeat all the teams in their group.
“Many football fans are not happy with the way the Super Eagles performed at the WAFU Cup tournament in Ghana.
“The players must therefore use this competition to appease the fans the way the main Super Eagles have done with their qualification for the Russia 2018 World Cup,’’ he added.(NAN)
KOJE/ERO/PIO
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Idonije Obakhedo)