By Augustine Akhilomen
Despite the Home Based Eagles narrow 1-0 lose to Benin on Sunday, Chief coach of the team, Salisu Yusuf says he’s confident the team will overcome the one goal deficit in Kano and qualify for the tournament.
Skipper Mama Seibou scored from the penalty spot with four minutes left to put Benin Republic in the driving seat of
their 2018 African Nations
Championship qualifying fixture against Nigeria.
However, Salisu told Soccernet.com.ng that the technical crew has nothing to be afraid of considering the fact that the team has what it takes to turn the table around Benin in the second leg.
“It is so sad that we narrowly lost 1-0 to Benin after conceding a late penalty. The truth is, it’s not the end of the road for Nigeria because we still have the second leg in Kano,” Salisu told Soccernet.com.ng
” I am confident Nigeria will qualify for the Championship regardless of the scoreline but then, we must have to be careful and capitalise on every goal scoring chances that comes our way.”
Both teams face off in the return leg in Kano on Saturday, with the overall winners qualifying for the finals taking place 11 January – 2 February 2018 in Kenya.