Chukwu Charges Eagles Players

Former Super Eagles handler, Christian Chukwu, has advised the coach Stephen Keshi-led side to re-enact the fighting spirit and commitment which saw them edge Ivory Coast 2-1 in the Nations Cup quarter final game when they come up against Mali today in the semi final of the competition.

Chukwu admitted that the players came into the business end of the competition with dogged spirit, stressing that victory over Cote d’Ivoire was an indication of the team’s business minded approach to the tournament and the fact that Nigeria has all it takes to be at the finals of the competition and possibly win the trophy.

"I’m very happy with the level of team spirit which our players exhibited against Cote d’Ivoire, nobody expected that Eagles will play the way they did in the match.

“I’m delighted that they proved their critics wrong while at the same time proving their qualities.

There was tremendous improvement in their game. They have shown that they are capable of reaching the finals of the championship.

“If they can re-enact such form today against Mali, I believe they will win and convincingly too”, Chukwu who once coached Harambee Stars of Kenya said.

“I do not want to say now that they will win the cup, because in the game of football, the unexpected can happen, so my candid advice to the players is they must not allow that die-hard fighting spirit to go down.