Enyimba defender Ifeanyi Anaemena has told www.busybuddiesng.com the Super Eagles B team are poised to ‘make Nigeria proud’ when they file out against The Sparrow Hawks of Togo in Saturday’s all-important 2020 Championships for African Nations (CHAN) 2nd leg qualifier.
Nigeria trail fellow West Africans, Togo 1-4 from the first leg of the encounter, and Anaemena is among the new invitees expected to help Imama Amapakabo’s side overturn the deficit at Agege stadium in Lagos tomorrow.
Despite also losing to the same Togo team at the WAFU Cup of Nations in Senegal, a week after the CHAN defeat, Anaemena said the team are in high spirits and poised to post a favourable result against the Sparrow Hawks.
“The team has been in a good shape, and the training sessions and the inspiration of the team is high, knowing that we are going into a game that is a do-or-die affair” the hard-tackling centre-back said. “There is an urge for us to make sure we qualify for the CHAN.
“Losing two consecutive matches against Togo has not demoralized us. The team is not demoralized, but we are ready to go and make Nigeria proud.”
Regarding his invitation, Anaemena stated that he is not under any pressure to perform if given the chance against Togo on Saturday.
“It doesn’t put any pressure on me,” he said. “The most important thing is that we need to salvage the situation of Nigeria being behind 4-1 on aggregate, and anything can be done to remedy it. That’s the most important thing now.
“I am also thankful to God for my invitation to the national team.”
Aggregate winners between Nigeria and Togo will progress to the 2020 CHAN tournament billed for Cameroon.
Nigeria reached the final of the last edition in 2018, losing to hosts, Morocco 4-0.
