Nigeria Coach Steven Keshi is optimistic that the Super Eagles will fly after he saw his team demolish Ivory Coast 4-1 in a nervy first leg CHAN 2014 encounter played at the main bowl of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

Nigeria won the encounter through goals from Kano Pillars forward Gambo Mohammed, a brace from Sunday Mbah and a late Ifeanyi Edeh goal as the Super Eagles garnered a commanding lead into the second leg.

Keshi, who spoke to supersport.com after the game, was full of praises for his wards but warned that the tie is far from won and wants his players to maintain focus as they prepare for the return leg.

“I usually don’t like praising players, but I thought Benjamin Francis had a good game, he worked tirelessly. I’m also pleased with Sunday Mba.

“I missed Sunday Mba at the Confederations Cup. Today I saw the Sunday Mba that I know; he did pretty well,” Keshi said. The Super Eagles gaffer also made some pointers as regards some of his substitutions in the match.

“We lost our way a bit in the midfield, which allowed the Ivorians to dictate play for long stretches in the game. Ayo Saka was tiring and he also picked up a yellow card, so we had to do something to shore up that area.

The Ivory Coast were reduced to nine men, but the Super Eagles huffed and puffed before they could subdue the Elephants. Keshi was however full of praise for the Ivorian team.

“It didn’t matter if they were eleven players on the pitch. In fact it is more dangerous playing a man less in most cases. The Elephants were highly disciplined and compact, but I’m happy we won the game.”

The 53-year-old coach also stated his desire to win the return leg and turn focus to the September FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Malawi.

“I hope we can finish the job in the return leg, this will give us confidence going into the Malawi game which is the most important thing for us now. We need to keep focus for the final push towards qualifying for the World Cup, that should be our focus for now,” Keshi said.

The return leg of the encounter is scheduled for the weekend of 20/21 July in Abidjan. SOURCE: http://www.thenationonlineng.net/new/sports/keshi-we-must-finish-off-elephants-in-abidjan/