Eagles yearn for take-off

NIGERIA captain Ikechukwu Ezenwa has warned against complacency as they seek to shed an underachievers tag at African Nations Championship (Chan) tournaments.

Considered one of the favourites for the 2018 title in the competition for home-based stars, Nigeria’s “Super Eagles” are in Group C with Libya, Rwanda and Equatorial Guinea. Nigeria failed to qualify for the first two of four previous tournaments, then finished third in 2014 before making a shock exit after the first round last year.

Many Nigerian supporters believe the country will coast to a top-two group finish in January and secure a quarterfinals slot, but Ezenwa is wary of their rivals.

“Libya must be respected as they have been Chan champions while Rwanda lost narrowly to eventual winners the Democratic Republic of Congo in the quarterfinals last year,” he warned.

“Many of the Equatorial Guinea team will have experience of playing World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers so we dare not underestimate them either.”

Nigeria debut against Rwanda, face Libya in a match likely to decide first place and finish against bottom seeds Equatorial Guinea.

Home advantage and a strong domestic league are reasons why hosts Morocco should go far.

They are in Group A with 2016 semifinalists Guinea, 2011 bronze medallists Sudan and Mauritania. Ivory Coast, Zambia and Uganda are set to battle for qualification from Group B with debutants Namibia the outsiders.

Angola and Cameroon are seeded to progress from Group D at the expense of surprise qualifiers Congo Brazzaville and Burkina Faso.

Congo Brazzaville eliminated defending champions the DRC on away goals after two draws while Burkina Faso shocked twice runners-up Ghana by winning away. — AFP