COTE D'IVOIRE BATTLE NOT YET OVER - CHUCKWU WARNS EAGLES

Christian Chukwu, a former Super Eagles Coach, has urged the home-based Eagles and their
handlers not to lose focus as they face Cote d’Ivoire in the return leg of the African Nations
Championship (CHAN) qualifier in Abidjan.
The Eagles on July 6 in Kaduna thumped their Ivorian counterparts 4-1 and as the
preparations for the crucial tie billed for July 27 reached fever pitch, Chuwkwu who captained
the Eagles to the 1980 win of the Nations Cup in Lagos, stated that the Ivorians will come
back hard into the game and the Eagles must have to prove that their victory was not a fluke.
“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 a wide goals
margin. 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,” Chukwu said.
According to him, Chief Coach Stephen Keshi has the right materials. “The Eagles only need
further grooming and training to make the country proud.”
Chukwu called on Nigerians to continue to support the national senior team in their building
process because “Rome was not built in a day.”
“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,” he added.
He said he believed and also had confidence in the players.
Chukwu added that the Eagles would make Nigerians proud and qualify for the Championship
slated for 2014 in South Africa.