Nigeria striker, Gambo Mohammed, is brimming with confidence that their 2014 Chan group stage opponents will not stop them from reaching the quarterfinals.
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Nigeria's Super Eagles were drawn in Group A alongside hosts South Africa, Mozambique and Mali for next year's African Nations Championship (Chan) on Wednesday.
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But Kano Pillars forward, Gambo, believes that the Super Eagles will make it into the last eight despite being their first appearance at the Chan.
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"Did you say South Africa, Mozambique and Mali are in our group? That's good because we have landed in the quarterfinals," remarked Gambo in a confident tone to supersport.com on Wednesday night after his club lost 0-1 at Nembe City in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
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The Super Eagles striker quickly pointed out that "we have a good team."
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He also made it clear that his comment is no disrespect to their group foes.
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"I know we have a good team and that's why I said we will reach the quarterfinals. I'm not disrespecting South Africa, Mozambique or Mali. But I know we play with our hearts and with a do-or-die attitude," said the striker.
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On the exit of Godfrey Oboabona and Gomo Onduku to European clubs which makes them ineligible for the Chan, Gambo said Nigeria can find ready-made replacements for the duo though he acknowledged they will be missed.
Confidence is key in football so I must kudos him for doing this. It makes a lot of sense to be sure of victory sometimes!