Failure to qualify for Gabon 2017 will hurt Nigerian football, says Agu

Despite the criticism that trailed Nigeria’s failure at the just-concluded African Nations Championship (CHAN), Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer, Aloy Agu, believes the Eagles have what it takes to beat the Pharaohs of Egypt next month and earn the points to qualify for the 2017 Africa Nations Cup taking place in Gabon.

Agu assured Nigerians that the coaches would assemble the best overseas and home-based players for the battle against Egypt, stressing that it would not augur well for Nigerian football if the Eagles failed to make it to Gabon after missing the previous edition.

The former Super Eagles captain also revealed that the team’s head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has been keeping close tabs on the foreign-based players that will be invited for the tie.

He revealed that Nigeria’s early exit from the CHAN was an eye opener for the technical crew, and called on football lovers to still keep faith with the Eagles, just as he called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to help the Super Eagles in preparing well for the qualifiers.

“Coach Oliseh has started discussing with the foreign-based players that will be invited for the game. Part of our plans for the Egypt game is to open camp early and start preparations with the home based players.

“The foreign-based players will join the team later, but every player that makes the final squad must be committed and hungry to get the AFCON ticket. Not earning the AFCON ticket after the losing out from the last edition, will not be a good omen for Nigeria football,” he said.