Ezenwa confident of 2019 Afcon spot

Football | Super Eagles

Ikechukwu Ezenwa © Shengolpixs

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Super Eagles goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa has said Nigeria are sure qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Cameroon.

The biennial football event's 12-group draws in Libreville, Gabon on Thursday pitched Nigeria in Group E together with South Africa, Libya and Seychelles.

Ezenwa said with adequate preparations for the Afcon qualifying matches the three-time African champions will take the early berth at the Central African neighbours’ championship.

“It’s a good pairing and a good job to be done to achieve the lofty dream of a
place at the 2019 Afcon in Cameroon.

“The task demands that all hands must be on deck right from the start to the finishing line.
“It’s a sour taste the reality that we have been out of Afcon for two times. That’s quite damaging to our image.

“That’s why we must work very hard to ensure we qualify for the 2019 Afcon as we cannot continue to claim to be the giants of Africa but keep missing at Afcon roll-calls.

“We know the task is daunting but not insurmountable if we put adequate programmes in place right now.
“I called the group a good one but not cheap as South Africa and Libya have proven their worth in past championships.

“South Africa have a vibrant league and their club sides have done quite well in the continental club competitions so the side are likely to be a hard nut to crack for us.

“However, I remain positive that if we do the needful and on time, too, we will not have any difficulty securing a spot from the group,” said the FC IfeanyiUbah shot stopper to supersport.com.

The Eagles have failed to appear at two successive Afcons in 2015 and 2017 after a heart-warming victory in 2013.

There will be three two-leg preliminary ties during March involving the six lowest-ranked sides with the overall winners securing places in the group phase. One round of mini-league fixtures are scheduled for 2017 and five for next year with the 12 group winners and the best three runners-up joining hosts Cameroon in the finals.