CHAN 2018: ‘We Can Defeat Morocco’ – Eagles Coach

Salisu Yusuf, the coach of home-based Super Eagles, says he is confident that his team will make history by winning the fifth African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco.

Gabriel Okechukwu’s 16th minute first-half strike handed eagles 1-0 victory against resilient Desert Hawks of Sudan on Wednesday night at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.

Yusuf Said after the match, “It was really hard for both sides. They (Sudan) pushed us to the wall, especially after the red card.

“We tried to go on the counter-attack and make the defence compact defence so as not to give spaces for them at the back.

“They had some good moments but we defeated them in the end.

“For the game against Morocco, every team is beatable. If we do the right things, why not! We can beat Morocco,” the 56-year-old coach added.

Okechukwu, who was also named the Total man of the Match said: “I’m excited that we won. It was a collective effort, not just one man effort. Kudos to the whole team. It was not an easy game but in the end, we emerged victoriously.

“The victory means a lot to get to this stage.

“I felt bad when Ikechukwu Ezenwa was injured because for a player to get injured whilst playing is not a good feeling.

“However, I did not panic because I knew the substitute (Ajiboye Oladele) was equal to the task.”

The victory means Nigeria will face host nation, Morocco in Sunday’s final, while Sudan will meet the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in the third-place playoff on Saturday night.