CHAN: Home-based Eagles have quality to qualify – Afeez Bankole

Smart City right-back, Afeez Bankole, has expressed his optimism about the progress of the home-based Super Eagles after the team secured a goalless draw against Ghana in the first leg of their final eliminator for the CHAN competition taking place next year.

Since getting to the final in 2018, Nigeria has failed to qualify for subsequent editions of the championship for players plying their trades in their national domestic championships. But after playing out to a goalless draw against Ghana last weekend, the home-based Super Eagles are just a win away from qualifying for the tournament to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Speaking with our correspondent, Bankole who was part of the initial players invited to camp ahead of the clash against Ghana, said he was happy with the result and would be cheering his teammates on during the second leg in Uyo.

“In as much as I am not part of the team that traveled for the game, I was happy with the result in Ghana,” he said.

“We just need to get a win in Uyo and qualify for the championship proper and I am sure we have the quality to achieve that.

“It was interesting time for me playing alongside most of the players and wearing the green and white of Nigeria; something I didn’t take for granted.

“I am sure my time will come very soon because the joy of every player is to be part of the national team and represent your country.

“Getting a call up to the Super Eagles CHAN team is a dream come true for me, and I will do everything humanly possible to make myself available for future call ups.”