The ex-international has not completely ruled out Super Eagles’ chances of making the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations billed for Morocco
By Shina Oludare
Former Nigeriacoach Christian Chukwu is optimistic that the Super Eagles can still make the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations despite their current predicament.
The reigning African champions face a tortuous route to Morocco where they will be hoping to defend the title won in South Africa in 2013 having lost 3-2 at home to Congo and playing a 0-0 draw in Cape Town.
According to ‘Chairman’ as he is popularly called, the draw against Bafana-Bafana on Wednesday is far better than a defeat while insisting that Keshi’s men must work extremely hard in their remaining matches if they must qualify for the biennial football showpiece.
“The goalless draw is not really a good result for us though it’s far better than a defeat, it still leaves us in a very dicey and tight corner as far as the qualification race in Group A is concerned,” Chukwu told supersport.com.
“The result is not in our favour and it means we must work really hard in the remaining matches if we must qualify to defend our title in Morocco next January.
“Congo have taken an unassailable lead of the group on six points with their superb 2-0 win against Sudan followed closely by South Africa on four points; the scenario is not a smiling one for us at the moment.
“I thought having lost at home in the first group game to Congo we would have gone all out to if need be spill blood to retrieve the points against South Africa to put us on strong footing towards qualification,” he continued.
“Qualification is still within our reach but we must do something extra-human to grab it against determined front runners, Congo and South Africa.
“I don’t understand why we chose to play the catch-up in a group bookmakers have already penciled us down for an easy ride to Morocco.
“The barren draw is a morale booster to the South Africans coming down here to challenge us for the three points later in the race.
“We must start earnest preparations for the next round of matches as it will be unfortunate if we don’t qualify to play in Morocco,” he concluded.
Nigeria will face Sudan in October as they hope to revive their bid for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
