Christian Chukwu, former coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, has emphasized the need for the national team to be vigilant in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) knockout stages.
Chukwu noted that with other top-ranked teams eliminated, the Super Eagles must recognize their status as favourites and rise to the occasion.
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In a recent interview, Chukwu acknowledged the absence of traditional football powerhouses in the later stages of AFCON, making it a more open competition.
He stressed that there are no “minnows” left, and every remaining team poses a challenge. Chukwu urged the Super Eagles to avoid underestimating their opponents and to approach each game with the seriousness it deserves.
“No minnow in the AFCON now. You can see by what we said, that all the big countries are out, all the North Africans are out and so on. So there is no minnow. You don’t underrate anybody now. So I’m happy that we are still there.
The former Green Eagles captain pointed out that the upcoming match against Angola won’t be an easy one, emphasizing the quality of players the Angolan team possesses.
Chukwu highlighted the importance of the Super Eagles’ defence and commended their performance in the previous game.
While acknowledging the strength of Angola’s defence and midfield, Chukwu expressed confidence in key player Victor Osimhen’s ability to make a significant impact.
He concluded by stating his trust in the Super Eagles to overcome Angola and progress further in the competition.
“Angola has never been an easy side for us. They have always had good players and so on. And we should be careful very well about their type.
But I’m happy that in the last game we played, our defence was perfect. They have a tight defence and they are strong in the midfield. But I trust Osimhen, we would destroy Angola.”
As the AFCON tournament unfolds, Christian Chukwu insights serve as a reminder for the Super Eagles to remain focused and resilient, recognizing the challenges posed by every opponent on the path to potential success in the tournament.
