Oliseh proud of Eagles despite crashing out of CHAN

Nifemi Daniel

Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has praised the Super Eagles despite crashing out of the 2016 African Nations Cup on Tuesday.

Debutants Guinea plotted one of the major upsets at the tournament so far by edging the highly-rated Nigerians thanks to Ibrahima Sory Sankhon’s strike just before the break.

The striker, who was adjudged the most valuable player of the match, tucked home a cross from Aboubacar Sylla on the stroke of half time, for what turned out to be the goal that separated both sides.

But Oliseh after the match said: “Personally, I am proud of the boys. Something didn’t go right today, the boys gave their best but it wasn’t meant to be.

Read also: Eagles under pressure ahead of Guinea match-Oliseh

He added that: “About seven or eight of these players can migrate from this CHAN 2016 team to the mainstream Super Eagles. One of the lessons learnt is that when next we are going for a tournament, I think we can be a little better.”

Also, Guinea coach Mohammed Bangoura said, “I am pleased to have beaten Nigeria. It’s a plan of technique and tactics. It is a great joy for us to celebrate this win.”

Similarly, the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia topped the group with superior goals despite finishing on five points apiece with Guinea, who finished in second place. Nigeria had four points and Niger at the bottom with one point.

Read also: Eagles under pressure ahead of Guinea match-Oliseh

Tunisia were simply too much for Niger who finished the game with a man-less after Oumarou Balley was sent off on 74 minutes for a second yellow card.  The 2011 champions led 2-0 at half time thanks to a Saad Bguir brace.

Ahmed Akaichi increased the tally on 79 minutes before Mohamed Ben Amor took the game beyond ‘Les Menas’ two minutes later. Hichem Essifi completed the goal harvest with the fifth on the stroke of full time.

Meanwhile, NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, has apologised to Nigerians on the failure of the CHAN Eagles.

“We apologise to Nigerians for the poor outing of the Super Eagles in Rwanda. I want us to take the positives from this tournament. A player like Chisom Chikatara broke onto the global platform and players like Usman Mohammed, Chima Akas, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Austin Oboroakpo and Ifeanyi Mathew confirmed their class.

“For me, it is disappointing that we did not progress. But the NFF will now focus on the 2017 AFCON qualifiers, and start preparations early for the remaining rounds,” Pinnick added in a statement.

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Oliseh proud of Eagles despite crashing out of CHAN

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