Nigerian football enthusi
asts at the weekend reacted with ecstacy to Super Eagles’ 4-3 defeat of the Atlas Lions of Morocco to qualify for the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) semi-finals.
In separate interviews  they hailed the team’s “unexpected victory’’ saying “the team virtually came back from the dead’’.
The Super Eagles had rallied from a 0-3 deficit at half-time to defeat Morocco 4-3 in extra time in their quarter-final match in Cape Town,  South Africa.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, Rivers State football Head coach, Tony Chuku described the performance as remarkable. He said that the Eagles demonstrated  unremarkable spirit worthy of emulation and urged other Nigerian sportsmen to borrow a leaf from them.
In Lagos, a former Chief Coach of the Super Eagles,Paul Hamilton,  said the team’s comeback into the game was simply “intriguing”.
“They started on a low note, but ended up well. I thank God they improved and won the match.
“They are now in a crucial stage and must be ruthless and tactical in the remaining matches. I commend the boys for their determination in not losing concentration when they were down,’’ he said.
Hamilton however called for more work to be done on the team’s goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim.
In Akure, the Director of Ondo State Football Agency,  Mike Idoko, said the Eagles showed they have the character to win the championship.
The director said the match could be one of the best matches played in CHAN history.
“The game was one of the best games I have watched in CHAN so far.
“When the Eagles were three goals down, they never lost their cool, but continued to play with great determination to eventually win,’’ he said.
On his part, an ex-Eagles player, Mutiu Adepoju, said: “We could have lost the match. But I thank God that the boys were able to come back.’’
He, however, warned the team not to take such chances in future matches.
“Coach Stephen Keshi should not relent now. He needs to psyche up the boys, as they have entered a more crucial stage of the competition,’’ Adepoju said.
The Technical Adviser of Crown FC of Ogbomosho, Lawrence Akpokona, described the match as a nice performance.
“It was the raw test of a team’s strength and their ability to recover when they are down.
“The defence in the first half allowed the Atlas Lions space to operate, which gave them the edge in that half.
“But in their next match, I do know that the technical crew will improve on the lapses noticed today (Saturday). All in all, it was a good outing. Kudos to the team,’’ he said.
In Enugu,  the Co-ordinator of the Enugu Pepsi Academy, Edwin Eze, said the victory was well-deserved.
“The boys used the first half to size up themselves and in the process made mistakes which they eventually corrected,’’ he said.
Eze, who is also the Director of Information, Enugu State Sports Ministry, said he was happy that one of his boys, Ejike Uzoenyi, made an impressive mark in the team.