Home-based Super Eagles prolific forward Anthony Okpotu has told www.busybuddiesng.com he is optimistic Nigeria will defeat Rwanda in their opening Group C encounter at the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco.

Nigeria take on the Amavubi on 15 January in Tangier before facing 2014 Champions, Libya and Equatorial Guinea in the group phase of the tournament reserved for players in their domestic leagues.

“We’ve been working very hard to make sure we win our matches (at the CHAN),” Okpotu, who emerged top scorer in the Nigeria professional Football League last season said. “We will continue to work everyday.

“Going into that match against Rwanda, I have this confidence and believe that we are going to win, but right now, we’ll just continue working very hard,” the 23-year old said before the team departed for Morocco on Monday.

Aside emerging the NPFL topscorer last season, the Lobi Stars striker was also voted the league’s Most Valuable Player by the prestigious League Bloggers Award to cap a remarkable 2017 for the dare-devil marksman.

Not resting on his laurels, Okpotu equally told www.busybuddiesng.com that he is working very hard to achieving more success in 2018.

“I know that much is expected of me because I’m the highest goalscorer and Most Valuable Player of the league last season,” he acknowledged.

“I have been working very hard during the preseason, and I’m just hoping that I am working very hard to do better than I did last season.”