Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) chairman, Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye, has voiced strong belief in the CHAN Eagles’ ability to bounce back from their 1-0 opening-day loss to Senegal at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN), writes Nigeriasoccernet.com.
The defeat came after a 75th-minute strike by Gomis, but Elegbeleye maintains the performance was encouraging.
"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 squad, composed solely of players from Nigeria’s domestic league, now faces Sudan in a must-win game before taking on Congo in their last group match.
Elegbeleye urged the players to treat the setback as motivation, pointing out that the competition is far from decided.
CHAN’s format permits only footballers playing in their national domestic leagues, and Nigeria’s team features mostly NPFL talents, underscoring the league’s importance in developing players for international competitions.