Salisu Yusuf, Head Coach of the Super Eagles B team, on Thursday expressed confidence in the ability of his players to secure qualification for the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ghana’s Black Galaxies are in the driving seat in the 2022 CHAN final qualifying fixture, after winning 2-0 in the first leg.
The 2-0 win was at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The Eagles now have all to do in the second leg on Saturday in Abuja and must score at least three goals without conceding if they hope to qualify.
Yusuf told newsmen during a pre-match press conference on Thursday in Abuja that he was confident his team could get the job done on Saturday.
“In spite of the late preparation and having to put together a team in the space of just two weeks, I think our players did their best in the first leg under the difficult circumstances.
“But the first leg has come and gone. We didn’t anticipate what happened, but that’s football for you. Anything can happen.
“We never expected that we were going to lose by a 0-2 margin in the first leg, especially with the way the game went, even though our preparation for the game was inadequate.
“But if you look at the match critically, in all components of the game, it was indeed a tightly contested encounter with the hosts edging possession by about 55 percent.
“So, we are disappointed that in spite of the several chances we created we were unable to take them,” he said.
Yusuf however said he was confident that the team would bounce back from the two-goal deficit and qualify for the 2022 CHAN finals scheduled for January in Algeria.
“If you look back at history of football, not only in Nigeria, but in the world, even a four-goal deficit can be upturned.
“It all depends on our mindset and commitment to make it happen on the day.
“We believe that we are going to fight to ensure we cancel the two goals and still win the game.
“It is not an impossible thing, but it is going to be very tough and tasking,” he said.
On the team’s tactics going into the second leg, the coach said the team would approach the game differently having watched and learned from the mistakes made in Ghana.
“There are some tactical changes which we have made. But I won’t want to divulge that information now, so that we don’t give anything away to our opponents before the game.
“However, we are doing very well to see that we defend set-pieces as well as create positive things when in possession of the ball,” he said.
Speaking also at the event, Tope Olusesi, the CHAN Eagles captain, said the team was not under any pressure heading into the second leg.
He stated that they knew what they have to do to ensure victory and qualify.
“We are not just here to play and qualify for CHAN, but we believe our career as individuals are at stake here.
“We are also aware of the disappointment and frustration of over 200 million Nigerians after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup following the loss to Ghana.
“Even though we are not approaching the game with a sense of revenge on our minds, but we want to assure Nigerians that we will do our best to win and qualify.
“Also, with the motivation from the Federation and the belief by the technical crew in the ability of the team, I think these are enough for us to go out there and get the job done,” he said. (NAN)
