Olympic Eagles coach insists it's not the end of the world, reacts to Gift Orban no-show

Nigeria U23 boss Salisu Yusuf faced the cameras shortly after the Olympic Eagles were held to a goalless draw by Guinea in the final round of the 2023 Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifiers. 

The 1996 Olympic champions are walking a tightrope in their quest to qualify for the AFCON in Morocco this summer after failing to score a goal in front of their fans at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Wednesday. 

Yusuf is still confident that Nigeria can secure qualification for the tournament in North Africa, especially as the second leg will be played on a neutral ground. 

"If we are focused and have a positive mindset to go there and win, we can win, because it is football. When you do the right thing, convert your goalscoring opportunities, you can win even at away." Yusuf told reporters, including allnigeriasoccer.com.

"The most important thing is we didn't lose here because they had two shots on goal which was very critical bu thank God the defenders were up to it. I still believe we can still qualify if we work extra hard.

"We expected to win. Naturally we are disappointed with the result but it is not the end of the world. I believe that we can correct the mistakes."

The final question put to Yusuf had to do with the absence of KAA Gent striker Gift Orban, who was one of the sixteen foreign-based professionals named on the roster for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with Guinea. 
 

Dual national Orban, who is also eligible for Togo through his mother, is one of the hottest strikers in Europe at the moment, with twelve goals in his last ten matches at club level.

Yusuf was asked if Orban not coming for the game affected his plans, and he responded : "We sent an invitation letter, he didn't come, so we don't know why".

Nigeria will lock horns again with Guinea at the Stade Moulay Hassan, Rabat in Morocco on Tuesday, March 28, with the winner over two legs qualifying for the 2023 U23 AFCON. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com