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CHAN: Yusuf proud of ‘committed’ Eagles after clinching Q/final spot

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Super Eagles head coach, Salisu Yusuf has praised his players for their great commitment and fighting spirit after they reached the quarter finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco.

The Eagles kicked off their campaign with a goalless draw against Rwanda, then picked up all three points against Libya with a 1-0 win before sealing their last eight spot with a 3-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday night.

Goals by Anthony Okpotu, Dayo Ojo and a penalty goal by Rabiu Ali made of no effect an early opener by Guinea’s Nsi Eyama to see the Eagles finish as Group C winners on seven points.

Nigeria could not advance from the group stage in the last edition of the tournament in Rwanda in 2016, and the coach admitted that he feared a similar scenario would occur.

“We wanted to finish first and we are happy we did,” Yusuf said in a post match interview in Agadir.

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“The team showed great character. We found ourselves in almost the same scenario during the last edition of the tournament in Rwanda where we had four points going into the final game and we lost and we were out.

“I had to make reference to that game to spur my team on. Anything could have happened. My team gave them so much room to operate during the game. It’s a lesson for us and we remain focused on the next game.

“We were unlucky to have conceded, but I was glad at the way we responded. Our answer was positive, almost always positive.

“For sure, the second half was good, but we still need to polish our passes more to be accurate. These players show me every day great commitment, great will and the desire to fight,” he added.

Yusuf also commended Okpotu for his efforts in the three games they have played so far, as well as Ojo who was awarded the most valuable player in the game.

The Super Eagles will now meet the runners-up in Group D in the quarter-finals on Sunday, January 28.

 

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