The Eagles on July 6 in Kaduna thumped their Ivorian counterparts 4-1 and as the preparations for the crucial tie billed for July 27 reached fever pitch, Chuwkwu who captained the Eagles to the 1980 win of the Nations Cup in Lagos, stated that the Ivorians will come back hard into the game and the Eagles must have to prove that their victory was not a fluke.
“It was an emphatic victory by the home-based Super Eagles over visiting Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the first match and I believe that they would do better in the return leg.
“I knew the first leg match in Kaduna was a bonus for us, but I never expected a wide goals margin. The result of the first leg marveled me.
“The team had raised everyone’s hope with the first leg brilliant result and should strive not to dash Nigerians’ hope in the return leg and the subsequent matches,” Chukwu said.
According to him, Chief Coach Stephen Keshi has the right materials. “The Eagles only need further grooming and training to make the country proud.”
Chukwu called on Nigerians to continue to support the national senior team in their building process because “Rome was not built in a day.”
“I recall that this is the first time we are participating in this competition and I want us to utilise it well and convert all our scoring chances,” he added.
He said he believed and also had confidence in the players.
Chukwu added that the Eagles would make Nigerians proud and qualify for the Championship slated for 2014 in South Africa.
