The Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, on Monday urged the home-based Super Eagles to win the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) trophy in Rwanda.
The championship, which begins on Saturday, was scheduled to run till February 7.
Dalung, who gave the advice in an interview with NAN in Abuja, also urged the team to sustain the tempo the country’s national teams had built at international competitions in recent time.
“We expect them to maintain the tempo of the victory that the players have set; I will be in Rwanda myself to be in solidarity with them and to encourage them.
“So, what I will say will be better said to them directly when I get to Rwanda.
“But sending it in advance will be equivalent to inviting your enemy to inspect your armoury before you go to war the following day.’’
In the same vein, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick urged the home-based Eagles not to disappoint Nigerians at the championship, but to work hard and surpass the country’s CHAN record.
“I expect them to continue the success run; I spoke to Oliseh this morning; we talk every day.
“I asked him if there were technical challenges and he said no that the most important thing in the field, which you can quote me, is that the boys are very enthusiastic.
“The boys have seen the run of very successful events in the past and now they are ready to go and glow.’’
Nigeria finished third at the last CHAN edition won by Libya in South Africa, with Ghana finishing in second place.
This year’s edition is the fourth since it was introduced in 2009.
Meanwhile, ex-Nigeria international goalkeeper Abiodun Baruwa had warned the home-based Eagles not to get carried away with their unbeaten run-in to 2016 CHAN but rather remain focused on the bigger task in Rwanda.
After eliminating Burkina Faso to qualify for the 2016 CHAN, they were forced to a 1-1 draw by Angola and beat Cote d’Ivoire in warm-up matches ahead of the tournament beginning this weekend in Rwanda
However, former Nigeria goalkeeper Baruwa, who is now a qualified coach and agent in UK, said the players should not get carried away by their impressive build-up, which was capped on Monday with a win over CHAN-bound Cote d’Ivoire.
“My advise for them is to be focused and relax but enjoy the experience,” he said.
“They should not be carried away by their unbeaten run in the friendly games, every team know friendly matches and competition are two different ball games.”
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