Salisu Yusuf calls for teamwork ahead of Rwanda Opener
Nigeria assistant coach Salisu Yusuf has urged the
Super Eagles to work as a team in their Morocco
African Nations Championship (CHAN)opening
game against Rwanda at Stade Ibn Batouta in
Tangier on Monday.
The fifth edition of the tournament, which is
exclusively for players plying their trade in their
own domestic leagues , kicked off on Saturday with
hosts Morocco hammering Mauritania 4 – 0 in
Casablanca.
Nigeria are in Group C alongside 2014 champions
Libya, Rwanda and Equatorial Guinea.
The clash between Nigeria and Rwanda kicks off at
7. 30pm Moroccan time (8 .30pm in Nigeria ).
The match will be preceded by the group opener
between Libya and Equatorial Guinea beginning
from 5 .30pm (Nigeria time).
Salisu, who is in charge of the CHAN assignment,
believes the Eagles can win the tournament for the
first time this year if they work well together.
The former Kano Pillars manager called for the
players to take advantage of the championship to
play their way into the Russia 2018 World Cup
squad, insisting any outstanding players have a
chance to be on the plane to the world ’ s football
showpiece.
“ We are not here just for CHAN. Everyone is
thinking of the World Cup as well ,” Salisu told
thenff.com on Sunday .
“ For the players , they have a massive opportunity
to play their way into the big one in Russia.
“ However, at every opportunity , we have made it
clear to the boys that they must work as a team . If
they win the tournament, the chances of some of
the players making the squad to Russia will be
high . No man can clap with only one hand.
Teamwork is key for this business.”