Go for trophy, Nigeria’s Pillar of Sports urges home-based Super Eagles

Donatus Agu-Ejidike, the Nigerian Pillar of Sports, on Thursday urged the home-based Super Eagles at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) to go for gold.

The Eagles will slug it out in the final with their hosts, Morocco on Feb. 4.

Agu-Ejidike told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that it was encouraging that the highly determined Eagles, for the first time, got to the final of CHAN.

“Even as Nigeria’s home-based Eagles booked a berth in the final of the ongoing CHAN for the first time, I want to task the highly determined Eagles to clinch the elusive trophy.

“I am happy for the 1-0 victory of the Eagles in the semi-final cracker against hard fighting Sudan,’’ he said.

The Pillar of Sports, however, warned against any lackadaisical approach as they slug it out in the final against Morocco.

Ejidike advised the Coach Salisu Yusuf-led squad of the antics of the Magrebs who like intimidations and crafty nature of their play styles.

“If the Nigerian Eagles will win the trophy, they must realise the sleekness and furtive nature of the North Africans, particularly the Moroccans as obtainable in the history of our past encounters.

“My words for the Eagles is that they must remain focused and be cautious knowing full well that any booking will weaken and deplete the team,’’ Ejidike said.

He commended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for their meaningful programmes which manifested in the outing.

“The NFF should mobilise mammoth support for the Eagles to neutralise intimidations of the host country as they file out on Sunday.

“With adequate motivation and words of encouragement, the Eagles will clinch the diadem,’’ he said. (NAN)