CHAN 2020 Qualifier: Imama pleads for support, patience from Nigerians

By Our Reporter

HEAD Coach of Super Eagles B, Imama Amapakabo has called on football –loving Nigerians to turn out en masse and support the Eagles massively as they battle the Sparrow Hawks of Togo at the Agege Stadium, in Lagos on Saturday.

The CHAN 2020 second leg qualifying match is a game Nigeria must win by at least 3-0 to scale through to the finals billed for Cameroon next year summer, and the former goalkeeper says what the team needs to achieve the ultimate goal is total backing from Nigerians.

“We have done what we need to do for the work at hand. We have learnt a lot going into this encounter and we are very optimistic everything will turn out well.

“What we cannot provide for ourselves is support. And that is why we are asking for full support and understanding all through the game. The players need every show of love for optimal output on the pitch.”

The Eagles had their last intensive training at the venue of the match on Friday morning as the rains showered across Lagos. The session lasted from 8am through 10am.

Nigeria lost by 4-1 to Togo in the first game played last month in Lome despite scoring first and taking good control of the match for a major part of the 90 minutes. Since the first game, eight new players who were not in Lome have joined the team and this has given the team better colouring and a lot more positive charge.

The aggregate winner of the two-legged fixture will qualify for the African Nations Championship to be hosted by Cameroon next year. Nigeria is hoping to qualify and finish better than their silver medal outing in Morocco last year while the Togolese are looking for a first berth at the continental competition designed solely for professionals featuring in their domestic leagues.


Photos: Adeniyi Muyiwa Sirmayor