By Chidera Akalonu
Home based Eagles Coach Salisu Yusuf has insisted every player will have to fight to earn a spot in his 23-man final squad for the CHAN in Morocco next month.
The Eagles coach spoke against the backdrop of speculation that players who won silver medal at the recent WAFU Nations Cup will dominate the final squad list of the home-based Super Eagles for the tournament in Morocco.
“Every player will have to work hard to make the team to Morocco”, Salisu Yusuf told scorenigeria.com.ng
“And I’m sure the players know this. That you featured at the WAFU Nations Cup is not a ticket to Morocco.
“So far, their attitude and commitment have been impressive and I’m happy about that”.
The home Super Eagles are now in Abuja to step up their preparation for their third consecutive CHAN finals after the NPFL Invitational Tournament in Kano.
Meanwhile, El-Kanemi Warriors prodigy, Nura Mohammed, has said he is excited by the prospect of representing Nigeria at next month’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco, while assuring Nigerians that the Super Eagles have what it takes to win the trophy for the first time.
Nura, who graduated through the ranks of the Maiduguri-based team, playing for their U-15 team and now the senior team, spoke to npfl.ng after the CHAN-bound Eagles’ 3-2 victory over MFM FC in the final of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Invitational Tournament where he set up all three goals scored by the Eagles, said it was a proud moment for him and he will continue to even work harder to help the team.
“I feel very happy; it’s an opportunity I never expected but thank God it came and now I have to try to the very best of my ability to utilize it very well.
“I have to prove to the coaches and everyone who believed in me that it was not a mistake (I have been called to join the team’s camp) and I will justify my inclusion by representing the country well in Morocco,” the midfielder said.
Nura also assured all Nigerians that the team are in buoyant mood and have resolved to win the African tournament for the first time.
“The CHAN tournament is a big one for me and every other player here present. If selected among the final players, I promise to give my all and ensure we return with the trophy,” Nura concluded.