George Shitta, the Taraba Director of Sports, on Wednesday advised the Super Eagles’ head coach, Augustine Eguavoen, to start preparing immediately for the team’s next game.
Shitta told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the team needed to start preparations so as to be fully ready when they take on Sudan on Saturday in Garoua.
NAN reports that Nigeria will face Sudan on Sunday in their second Group B match at the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.
“Currently, there is no small team again in football. The Super Eagles’ handlers should start to prepare the players for Saturday.
“They need to fortify every department and ensure that no stone is left unturned,” the Director of Sports said.
“There is no doubt that the Eagles will defeat Sudan though. I don’t see the Sudanese as a threat, but that does not mean that the team should relax.
“This is just the beginning of the job, and it is not yet time for the team to rejoice. Our team must continue with this winning spirit in their subsequent matches,” Shitta added.
He said millions of Nigerians were praying for the team as a nation, because “we believe in their abilities to make us proud and that they will not disappoint us”.
Shitta further said he believed the Super Eagles could go on to play in the final match of the competition in Cameroon.
The Super Eagles had defeated Egypt 1-0 in their opening Group D game on Tuesday in Garoua.
“Defeating Egypt was an obstacle removed from the Eagles’ way.
“The Egyptian team are a giant team and we are all happy as a country that we defeated them,” the Taraba Director of Sports said.
Shitta congratulated Eguavoen for bringing his experience to bear on the game, saying it yielded a positive result.
“I’m very optimistic that he can lead Nigeria to win the 2021 AFCON because he can and we have everything it takes to win the trophy,” he said.
Nigeria will take on Sudan on Saturday from 5 p.m., while Egypt will take on Guinea-Bissau from 8 p.m.
The competition, which began on Sunday, will end on Feb. 6.(NAN)
