19th February, 2016
Taiwo Adelu
Former member of technical committee of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, John Mastoroudes believes the Super Eagles have what it takes to scale the hurdles of Egypt in the two legged Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches scheduled for 25 and 29 March.
Nigeria did not qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea following poor runs in the qualification campaign, and they are currently trailing behind leaders, Egypt by two points in Group G of 2017 AFCON qualifying series.
Mastoroudes, the Greece-born soccer administrator, is however positive of Eagles’ chances and he hopes Nigeria can come back to winning ways under Coach Sunday Oliseh.
Mastoroudes, who became a household name in the 80s when Leventis United bestrode the Nigerian football scene said: “I think the Eagles will qualify, but they must win the home game in Kaduna with a big margin. Fine football is like biscuit, you really don’t know where it will crack.
“The Egyptians are very good, so the Eagles must do everything right in their home game first. Winning the first leg with a wide margin will give them good advantage going into the second leg in Cairo. I believe and I am confident Nigeria will qualify,” he said.
Mastoroudes was a member of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the Super Eagles’ 2010 World Cup campaign.