Sport: I’m happy we qualified for 2014 CHAN, says Keshi

Abidjan – Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi has blamed the 0-2 loss in the second leg qualifier for Africa Nations Cup Championship (CHAN) to lack of composure of the players.


In spite of the loss, Super Eagles however qualified on 4-3 goals aggregate.

The team had gone into the second leg match with a 4-1 advantage, having outclassed the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire on June 6 in Kaduna.

Keshi said in Abidjan shortly after the match that the game, though an interesting one, took Eagles about 25 minutes to get composure.

“ I must say that it was a good game. We played an Ivorian side that is quite good, my team was a little jittery at the beginning.’’

An elated Keshi added that CHAN would provide good exposure for the team: “I am sure that my team will garner more experience by the time they play in South Africa.’’

The Ivorian Coach, Saraka Nobert, said at the post-match news conference that his team did well.
“It was not a bad play at all, we tried so hard to get a third goal but the chances were not there, I think my team did not play badly.’’

Zougoula Ahmed scored the two goals in the sixth minute before converting a penalty in 26th minute of the match played at the Robert Champoux Stadium, Macory, Abidjan.

The home-based Eagles will be playing in the championship for the first time since the start of the competition in 2009.

The 3rd edition of CHAN was originally scheduled for Libya but will now hold in South Africa.

The three un-replied goals would have robbed the Eagles of the opportunity to play in the tournament.

Mike Umeh, Vice President of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) said that he was impressed with the result.

“It means we are going to South Africa. It will be a good exposure for our team. The result of this match is a good one for us.’’