Stars have a chance, says ex-Eagles coach

FEW days after Chad withdrew from 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) race, dealing a big blow to group G teams, especially Tanzania, former Nigeria’s Super Eagles assistant coach, Jean Francois Loscuito still thinks that Taifa Stars can perform better in the remaining two games.

Chad’s withdrawal dealt a huge blow to Taifa Stars campaigns in hunt for a chance to qualify for the tournament finals in Gabon next year.

Tanzania with just a point now and Nigeria with two points have their backs against the wall even more after Chad pulled out of the qualifiers, while Egypt are in pole position having four points at the top of the standings, before their yesterday’s game against Nigeria.

The Stars were due to host Chad for the Group G clash at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Monday before the match was annulled following a late withdrawal by the Central African nation from the continental qualifiers.

Chad cited financial constraints as the reason behind their decision for the withdrawal that spelt doom for both Tanzania and Nigeria.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) via a statement on Sunday confirmed Chad’s withdrawal from the AFCON qualifiers.

CAF acknowledged receipt of Chad’s letter and subsequently cancelled all games and results involving the Central African side. The withdrawal also means only the overall group winner will qualify for Gabon 2017 as groups with only three teams cannot produce second best qualifiers.

By this decision, Taifa Star’s chances of making it to the bi annual competition may have been shattered because all the points obtained against the West African country in an away 1-0 win were cancelled.

Before now, the group winners were to directly qualify, with the runners-up having the chance of qualifying through the best losers’ route, which was looking more likely for Taifa Stars.

But now, unless coach Charles Boniface Mkwasa’s team beat Egypt and Nigeria in the Group G standings with two games now left to play, there will be a slight possibility of coming out on top and qualify for the first finals since 1980.

However, the former Super Eagles assistant coach seems to give Taifa Stars a glimpse of hope in its campaign. “I do not see Tanzania losing to Egypt in both sides’ next game,” the one-time ASFA Yenanga of Burkina Faso coach told Completesportsnigeria. com.

The Belgian tactician’s words could help spur Taifa Stars, in their pursuit for AFCON finals ticket. Taifa Stars need to win at home against Egyptians Pharaoh in June and beat Nigeria away in September this year.

Nigeria’s Samson Siasia squad needed a win against Egypt in the decisive reverse leg match at the Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria yesterday, to stand a chance of qualifying for the tournament in Gabon next year, after a 1-1 draw in Kaduna.

Following the withdrawal, CAF, suspended Chad from next year’s AFCON and also fined them 20,000 U.S dollar.