Home-based Eagles’ captain, Junior Nduka revealed that the need of not returning to Nigeria empty-handed motivated him and his colleague to gun for victory against Congo in their last match at this year’s Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2024).
Sports247 reports that the CHAN Eagles spoilt Congo’s hope of qualifying for the quarter-finals with 2-0 victory on Tuesday in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania; and the Nigerians were able to finish third on the table in Group D with three points, while their opponents were stuck on two.
Second half goals by Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) top scorer, Anas Yusuf from Nasarawa United of Lafia and Remo Stars FC of Ikenne’s Sikiru Alimi made all the difference for Eric Chelle’s side, which appeared better conposed than they had been against Senegal and Sudan.
Though the win could not make any difference, as Nigeria had already been eliminated before the game, while Senegal and Sudan played out a 0-0 draw that took them both into the next round with five points apiece, Nduka admitted it was a cool consolation for the Eagles.
“The boys were able to pick up the pieces and focus on the last game. It became the most important game for us this time around.
“That was because, having lost our first two games, we didn’t want to be defeated again in our last match and then go back home with nothing,”: explained Nduka.
The stable defender, who is also the captain of NPFL champions, Remo Stars, will now head back home on Thursday with his colleagues to prepare for the start of action this season in Nigeria’s domestic league.
