Home Eagles head coach, Imama Amapakabo knows he cannot afford to fail against Togo in the return leg of the Saturday’s 2020 African Nations Championship qualifying battle at the Agege National Stadium on Saturday.
He has therefore charged his wards to rise to the occasion after suffering a 4-1 defeat in Lome in the first leg.
Home Eagles have been training at the FIFA Goal Project, National Stadium, Abuja since returning from their expedition at the WAFU/FOX Cup of Nations in Senegal last week.
“We have a big job at hand, and I have been drumming it into the ears of the players that we cannot afford to fail. The Togolese won 4-1 on their home ground; nothing says we cannot do better on our own home ground.
“We have to be focused and determined. We must create chances and put them away because we cannot afford not to be at the African Nations Championship,” said Amapakabo.
The Home –based Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles B, has intensified preparations for Saturday’s 2020 African Nations Championship qualifying battle with the Sparrow Hawks of Togo in Lagos.
The winner over two legs between Nigeria and Togo will book a slot at the 6th African Nations Championship finals scheduled for Cameroon in June 2020.
NFF’s Director of Competitions, Mr. Ayobola Oyeyode confirmed to thenff.com on Wednesday that the delegation of the Sparrow Hawks for Saturday’s big match, which will hold at the Agege Stadium, Lagos from 4pm, will fly into Lagos aboard an ASKY Airline flight on Thursday.
The Confederation of African Football has appointed officials from Niger Republic to superintend the match, with Abdoulaye Rhissa Al-Mustapha as the referee.
His compatriots Sadissou Idi, Abdoul Aziz Yacouba and Zakari Adamou Oumarou will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.
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Mr. Alim Konate Aboubacar, from Cameroon, will serve as match commissioner.