Oliseh: We have hit the ground running

Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has disclosed that the coaching crew immediately got off to work after they were unveiled in Abuja last week because of the busy schedule of the national team.

Nigeria will travel to Tanzania in September for a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier and then confront Burkina Faso over two legs in October for the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers. And with the second round of the Africa qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup scheduled for November, the Super Eagles could not have been busier.

And Oliseh is aware of the challenges.

“We have no choice but to hit the ground running,” he told thenff.com.

“Jean Francois (first assistant) and I have been busy combing and tracking players in Europe while Salisu Yusuf has been doing same with our home based stars. Alloy Agu, who is still involved with the U-23 Team will join him once they conclude their qualifiers against Congo.”

Oliseh said that this double-pronged approach has become necessary because he wants preparations for the CHAN qualifiers against Burkina Faso to begin immediately after the game against Tanzania.

“We have to cover all grounds and be adequately prepared for all the competitions we are involved in whether it is CHAN, AFCON or World Cup qualifiers,” he said.

“Our list of invited players for the CHAN team will be out in the first week of August while that of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania should be out mid-August.

“We urge everyone to continue to support the team and join their efforts with ours in ensuring that the Super Eagles succeed on all fronts.”