CHAN Eagles Can Still Qualify, Says NPFL Boss Elegbeleye

CHAN Eagles Can Still Qualify, Says NPFL Boss Elegbeleye

By Niyi Busari 

Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye, has expressed unwavering confidence in the ability of the CHAN Eagles to bounce back from their opening day defeat to Senegal at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN), BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Nigeria suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to the defending champions, Senegal, following a 75th-minute strike by Gomis. However, Elegbeleye believes the team showed enough promise and should not be discouraged by the result.

"We may have lost the opening match, but the team was not outplayed," Elegbeleye said. "A late defensive lapse cost us the game. I am confident the boys will regroup and secure victory in their upcoming fixtures, starting with the match against Sudan on Tuesday."

The CHAN Eagles, composed exclusively of players from Nigeria's domestic league, will now face Sudan in a must-win encounter before taking on Congo in their final group match.

Elegbeleye urged the squad to see the defeat as a motivation to push harder, reminding them that the tournament is far from over.

The CHAN tournament is unique in its format, featuring only players who are active in their respective national domestic leagues. Nigeria’s squad is heavily drawn from NPFL clubs, underlining the importance of the local league in grooming talent for international duty.