By Habeeb Akinfegbe
It is no longer news that Chad have pulled out of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to financial restraints. Les Sao bowed to Tanzania on Wednesday and were billed to face the Taifa Stars for the return leg in Dar es Salaam.
“As part of our participation in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers for Gabon 2017 and particularly the return match against Tanzania, we bring to your attention that our national team has failed to make it to the return leg game in Dar el Salaam scheduled for March 28,” said Moctar Mahamoud, secretary general of Chad Football Association.
“Indeed, our country has been affected by the global economic conditions and because of this, our participation in various competitions has taken a serious blow due to financial constraints.”
“We wish you all the best and we apologise for this situation which is basically independent of our will.”
Chad's withdrawal now leaves both Nigeria and Egypt having everything to play for in their second leg tie at Egypt on Tuesday. Subsequently all points involving Chad have been discarded and obviously Nigeria remain two points adrift of Egypt with two rounds of qualifying remaining.
Nigeria, who missed out on the 2015 AFCON, could have qualified as one of the best runners-up, but CAF confirmed that only the top team from Group G will qualify. "It is now a race with no medal for second place".
Furthermore, the Chadian Football Federation has been fined 20,000 US
Dollars and also barred from participating in the next edition of the
AFCON in conformity with Article 59 of the regulations of the
Competition which states “any association declaring forfeit after the
start of the matches is liable to a fine of twenty thousand (20,000)
U.S. dollars. It will also not be allowed to participate in the next
edition of the AFCON”.
According to information gathered, the Super Eagles trained for three straight hours to perfect moves in preparedness for Tuesday’s crunch Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Alexandria. The training session on Sunday evening under the floodlights was to correct all the errors made in the first leg which Nigeria were minutes away from winning. After reviewing the game’s video earlier in the day, the coach and his boys knew there was a lot to fix. Samson Siasia, trying his best not to look overwhelmed with the task ahead, ensured the players knew what was at stake. There was match play simulation, free kicks were practiced, corner kicks were perfected.
Everyone took turns in hitting the ball over or around
the four-man shield to find the team’s best free-kick taker.
Starting with corner kicks in the defensive position, they switched to offensive play as heads jostled to connect with the ball and nod it past the goalkeeper.
The Eagles worked tirelessly, they shed sweat and looked ready to spill blood in order to impress the coach whose keen eye kept roving for his best legs for the battle of Alexandria. The match kicks off at 6pm Nigerian time.
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It is no longer news that Chad have pulled out of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to financial restraints. Les Sao bowed to Tanzania on Wednesday and were billed to face the Taifa Stars for the return leg in Dar es Salaam.
“As part of our participation in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers for Gabon 2017 and particularly the return match against Tanzania, we bring to your attention that our national team has failed to make it to the return leg game in Dar el Salaam scheduled for March 28,” said Moctar Mahamoud, secretary general of Chad Football Association.
“Indeed, our country has been affected by the global economic conditions and because of this, our participation in various competitions has taken a serious blow due to financial constraints.”
“We wish you all the best and we apologise for this situation which is basically independent of our will.”Chad's withdrawal now leaves both Nigeria and Egypt having everything to play for in their second leg tie at Egypt on Tuesday. Subsequently all points involving Chad have been discarded and obviously Nigeria remain two points adrift of Egypt with two rounds of qualifying remaining.
Nigeria, who missed out on the 2015 AFCON, could have qualified as one of the best runners-up, but CAF confirmed that only the top team from Group G will qualify. "It is now a race with no medal for second place".
 |
| Super Eagles getting ready for the floodlights of Alexandria |
According to information gathered, the Super Eagles trained for three straight hours to perfect moves in preparedness for Tuesday’s crunch Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Alexandria. The training session on Sunday evening under the floodlights was to correct all the errors made in the first leg which Nigeria were minutes away from winning. After reviewing the game’s video earlier in the day, the coach and his boys knew there was a lot to fix. Samson Siasia, trying his best not to look overwhelmed with the task ahead, ensured the players knew what was at stake. There was match play simulation, free kicks were practiced, corner kicks were perfected.
 |
| Samson Siasia with loads on his hands |
Starting with corner kicks in the defensive position, they switched to offensive play as heads jostled to connect with the ball and nod it past the goalkeeper.
The Eagles worked tirelessly, they shed sweat and looked ready to spill blood in order to impress the coach whose keen eye kept roving for his best legs for the battle of Alexandria. The match kicks off at 6pm Nigerian time.
Follow us on
Twitter: @bizarre_comms
Facebook: Bizarre Communications
Email: bizarrecommunications@gmail.com
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