General

Oliseh: We’re clearly the toast of CHAN

January 24, 2016 12:16 pm

Super Eagles’s coach Sunday Oliseh is optimistic Nigeria will get to the next round of the Orange African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2016.

Nigeria beat Niger 4-1 in the first match before being forced to a 1-1 draw by Tunisia in the second match.

Oliseh said the Eagles are currently the “toast” of the tournament and that his players have adapted to his coaching philosophy.

He said: “We have what it takes to have the three points in Tuesday’s game (against Guinea). But then again, it depends on the form of the day, but I am optimistic.

“We are far from where we are hoping to get to. But the boys are acting very well and it is not secret that they are the toast of the tournament. At the moment people are talking a lot about them and Congo. So, it’s very good for us I think.”

He said, however, that he will not take things for granted until the team makes progress to the next round

“I want the second round first. How person go run before he go waka first? Make we reach second round first’,” he said, partially in Nigerian pidgin.

He said the technical crew are being very careful about the fitness of star players who showed signs of injury.

“That’s why the two players (Muhammed Usman and Chisom Chikatara) trained separately. You know that we played on a synthetic pitch, so they are feeling some pains in the groin. You saw in the game against Tunisia where we took Usman out due to the pains he felt in his groin,” he said.

“Chikatara is also feeling it. But the doctor said they should be okay. Hopefully, they will be fit for Tuesday.”