Chairman of Nigerian league organisers the League Management Company Shehu Dikko has encouraged players and officials of the Super Eagles to build on their experience at the just ended West African Football Union (WAFU) Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles, a collection of locally based stars were humiliated 4-1 in Sunday’s final. A result which threatened to tear into shreds their fairy tale run to the final of the competition.
“Winning the trophy would no doubt have been delightful, but the LMC is happy for the exposure the players have gained from playing in an international tournament of this nature and more importantly, it is a learning curve for them ahead the 2018 CHAN,” stated Dikko who was at the Cape Coast Stadium on Sunday night.
It is expected that the core of players that represented Nigeria at the subregional tournament will participate in the African Nations Championships which is less than four months away.
Regardless of Sunday’s result, Dikko expressed his hopes that the tournament would have served its purpose of acting as a good preparatory tournament for the CHAN team.
“It is our belief that a lot has been learnt on the side of the coaches and on the side of the players.
“Whatever gaps were observed at the WAFU tournament will be the tool to improve the team going forward,” added Dikko.
Nigeria finished second in the 16-team tournament, losing to hosts Ghana after a run of five games unbeaten in the tournament.
One of Nigeria Professional Football League ambassadors Ikechukwu Ezenwa who plays for FC Ifeanyiubah was named tournament’s best goalkeeper after keeping four clean sheets in five matches.
