Chief coach of the Super Eagles Team B (home-based Eagles), Imama Amapakabo, has expressed optimism the team will bounce back after a shocking 4-1 loss to the Sparrow Hawks of Togo in Lome on Sunday, September 22, 2019.
The Nigerian team started the game brightly after Sanusi Ibrahim gifted them the lead in the 10th minute of the encounter. A Richard Nane brace in the 16th and 67th minutes meant the home side equalized and took the lead.
Tchakei Marouf scored from the spot in the 75th minute to enhance the lead for the Togolese team, and a stoppage time goal from Agoro Ashraf made it four for the hosts. Despite the stern test now facing the Eagles in their bid to qualify for the 2020 CHAN African Nations Championship, Amapakabo believes the African football powerhouse has all it takes to overturn the score line in the second-leg tie on October 19, 2019, in Nigeria.
We have taken this as a learning curve moving forward and awaiting the return match… It is wrong to think that this match would determine which team goes through. We know there is a second match and no two games can ever be the same… From now until October 19, it is still quite some time away to make amends and produce the right form for the work ahead…It is after the match in Nigeria that it can become clear who qualifies
Imama Amapakabo
Sources:
Complete Sports
Goal
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