Former Nigerian manager, Christian Chukwu is upbeat Nigeria will qualify from the tough group at the 2014 African Nations Championship (Chan) in South Africa.
The Chan draw on Wednesday at the Caf headquarters in Cairo, Egypt pitched Nigeria, Mozambique, Mali and hosts, South Africa in Group A of the competition reserved for players plying their trade in their country’s domestic leagues.
Chukwu, who admitted that the group is tough said the domestic Super Eagles have proven themselves in many test matches to be able to secure qualification to the next stage of the competition.
“Though none of the groups is easy, I think ours is the toughest but I believe we’ll qualify from the group alongside with the hosts, South Africa.
“Our home-based Eagles have come to understand themselves lately despite the poor performance in the last qualifying match in Abidjan against their Ivorian counterparts, the Elephants.
“I have no fear that we’ll pick qualification ticket from the group. We have abundant players in the land to successfully prosecute the championship.
“Though we’ll miss the services of few good players who assisted in securing the final ticket I believe a little effort will unveil quality replacements.
“Right now instead of the head coach, Stephen Keshi travelling out of the nation’s shores the football body should sponsor a meeting with the domestic league coaches to recommend their best players to him.
“Keshi can’t scout the whole country for players within the time frame but if he has good rapport and communication with the coaches they’ll come in to solve the headache of how to replace the players who have gone on greener pastures,” said the former Nigerian strongman to supersport.com.
Nigeria missed out from the past two editions after losses to perennial arch-rivals, Ghana and minnows, Niger Republic.
The 2013 Afcon champions together with their group opponents will campaign for qualification in the city of Cape Town for the Chan that will run from January 11 to February 1.
