Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured their spot in the 2025 African Cup of Nations with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Benin on Thursday.
Victor Osimhen’s equalizing goal sealed the deal, but the journey was far from smooth.
In an exclusive chat with Persecondnews in Uyo, Super Eagles Team Coordinator, Patrick Pascal, described the qualifiers as “rocky.”
The near-death experience at Al Abraq Airport in Libya still lingers.
“The three points we got away from home came with emotional trauma,” Pascal revealed.
“We don’t want to dwell on it, but CAF’s decision on Libya’s dark arts was commendable.”
The Bauchi FA Chairman praised the team’s mentality, saying, “Without them, we wouldn’t be talking about Morocco 2025.”
Despite the challenges, the players gave their all when national duty called.
He urged all football-loving Nigerians residing in Uyo to come out with high spirits and cheer the team to victory against Rwanda on Monday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo.
The Full Interview;
PSN: Was the qualifier a smooth one for the Super Eagles?
Pascal: No, it wasn’t; you know in football you can predict what will happen tomorrow; the three points we got away from home we suffered emotional trauma to earn it. I don’t want to dwell much on the issue because we all applaud the CAF decision concerning the dark art of Libya. Football unites people; we as Nigerians want a situation where, when you travel to other places, you get a positive and good atmosphere.
PSN: What’s next for the team after qualifying?
Pascal: Up next is Rwanda; all Nigerians want is to see them victorious; we owe them that on Monday against Rwanda.
After Rwanda is in the World Cup qualifiers, we are not in a good state, but we are doing everything possible behind the scenes to ensure we turn the tide around. In Morocco, we will do our best to go one more step than the previous edition, and we will come back with the trophy.
I want to commend the players and the coaching crew; they have done so well; without them, we won’t be talking about AFCON. I want Nigerians to fill up the stadium on Monday; all we want from them is their high spirits.”
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