The FCT Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has congratulated the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation led by Aminu Maigari and officials of Super Eagles Team B on Nigeria’s first-ever qualification to play in the finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The Eagles lost 2-0 in the return leg of the African Nations Championship qualifier on Saturday in Abidjan but qualified 4-3 on aggregate for the finals to be staged in South Africa next year.
“FCT SWAN is impressed with the preparation the Eagles got, and we are even more impressed with the Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi for giving our home-based players the opportunity to show the world that they can hold their own if given the chance.”
Nigeria missed the first two editions of the championship, exclusively for footballers plying their trade in their country’s domestic League. Ghana stopped the Eagles from the inaugural edition in Cote d’Ivoire in 2009 while the Eagles also lost to Niger Republic in the race for Sudan 2011.
“We want to also urge the NFF to please start preparations for the Cup of Nations now, because January is just few Months from now and we know the government will support them.”
According to FCT SWAN Assistant Secretary, Bunmi Haruna, Nigeria joins teams like Ghana, Mauritania, Morocco, Libya, Ethiopia, Uganda and hosts South Africa in the 16-team tournament.
