21 January 2008
Lagos — In spite of a crucial win which has given his team a big edge over other contenders in the so called 'Group of Death', Cote d'Ivoire coach Gerald Gili, has commended the fighting sprit of the Nigerian team that crashed to a lone goal defeat yesterday.
The Frenchman, at post match conference said that the Super Eagle still have a lot to play for in the tournament if only they can retain their performance in yesterday's match in the remaining two games against the Eagles of Mali and the Squirrels of Benin.
"Although we know Nigeria as a force on the continent, however, we were confident we would beat your team but they came out fighting especially in the first half which I think they dominated.
"They were too hard on Drogba who was played out of the match and we knew we had problems because he is the motivator of the team. But in the second half we came out with other options which took care of the defence line," he explained.
On what will be the outcome if the two teams meet again in the course of the tournament, he simply said that when his team gets there they will know what other option to play.
"Of course we want more challenges and if in the course of the competition we meet again, we have several options to play against your team especially know that we have sized up some of your new players," he remarked.
The Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire play the Squirrels of Benin on Friday while Nigeria is condemned to beat Mali in the next match if they hope to progress in the competition.
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