NPFL Boss Confident Home Eagles Will Soar Against Sudan

Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, has thrown his full weight behind the home-based Super Eagles as they look to reignite their 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign with a crucial win over Sudan.

Elegbeleye, speaking with unwavering optimism, believes the Eagles’ 1-0 loss to defending champions Senegal in their opening fixture was down to sheer misfortune rather than a lack of quality.

“I’m very hopeful. If you read my statement before that game, I backed them to bounce back. I’m confident they will beat Sudan and move on from there,” he said.

The Group D clash, set for Tuesday night at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar, kicks off at 6 p.m. Nigerian time. But for Nigeria, it’s more than just a football match—it’s a do-or-die affair. Anything short of victory could mean an early exit from the competition, a nightmare scenario for the team and their fans.

Sudan, on the other hand, will enter the game with a measure of confidence after holding Congo Brazzaville to a 1-1 draw in their opening match. Both sides know a win would dramatically improve their chances of reaching the quarter-finals.

Opinion:
There’s something about Nigerian football and its ability to inspire hope even in the tightest corners. Yes, the loss to Senegal hurt, but football is as much about resilience as it is about skill. The home-based Eagles have talent, but this is the moment they must show grit. Elegbeleye’s faith is more than just cheerleading—it’s a reminder that belief can be the spark a team needs to fight back.

The ball, as they say, is now in the Eagles’ court—or in this case, on their boots.