Alphonsus Dike backs in Eagles v Libya in CHAN

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Former Enugu Rangers manager, Alphonsus Dike has backed Nigeria’s Super Eagles Team B to edge the Libyan opposite, the Mediterranean Knights at the on-going 5th African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco.

Eagles will confront the North Africans in Friday’s Group C CHAN matchday 2 clash at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier, Morocco.

The Nigerians played out an energy sapping 0-0 draw against the Amavubi of Rwanda in Tangier on Monday while the Libyans enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win against debutants, Equatorial Guinea.

Dike said Eagles must be natural and avoid anxiety that seemed to be the shortcomings in matchday 1 clash against the East Africans to subdue the Knights of Libya.

“Eagles showed lots of anxieties in their goalless draw against the Amavubi of Rwanda which aptly explained the barren draw in the clash.

“Eagles created chances in the encounter which means the team is good, a team is bad if they cannot create chances.

“The fact that they struggled for ball among themselves within the vital area of their opponents is a proof of anxiety.

“Everyone wants to score perhaps impress the coaches to chance inclusion in the 2018 Fifa World Cup squad.

“It becomes the duties of the coaches to calm the players down and remind them that the key is getting chances and scoring not who scores.

“Anxiety could have explained the number of balls that hit the woodwork in the match against Rwanda.

“The loopholes are correctable by the coaches and the team will be apt and shooting perfectly in other matches.

“I strongly believe that if the players could calm down, play their normal game they are certain to beat Libya on Friday.

“However, the players must demonstrate enough determination to win the clash to chance qualification from the group.

“I have absolute confidence in the team to run down the Libyan opposition come on Friday in Tangier,” said the former Golden Eaglets and Nasarawa United coach to supersport.com.com.

Nigeria have a point after matchday 1 clash against the opponents, Libya’s three points and must win outright to chance qualification from the group.

Eagles’ last group clash will be against newcomers, Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday, January 23 in Agadir, Morocco.