Former Super Eagles midfielder, Austine Okocha,  says he’s optimistic that Nigeria will qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

The team which sit second with four points behind group leaders, Egypt (six points), would be faced with the task of overcoming the Pharaohs in a double header matches schedule for March 23 and 27 respectively considering the fact that only one team will qualify for the bi-annual tournament.

“As regards the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, I believe that the Super Eagles can qualify but we have to do our homework well to achieve this. We have to accept first of all that we are no longer who we used to be. We have to humble ourselves and realize that we are starting afresh. Once we accept our fate at the moment I think we will qualify,” Okocha said.

Meanwhile, Okocha has advised the Nigeria Football Federation not to judge team’s coach, Sunday Oliseh with the performance of his team at the forthcoming, African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The tournament which will kick-off this weekend in Kigali, Rwanda, will be Nigeria’s second appearances at the championship and Oliseh will be hoping his wards can make him proud.

“Well, I can’t set any target for the Super Eagles and coach Sunday Oliseh as far as the African Nations Championship is concerned,” he said.

“Oliseh is my friend and he is my colleague. I think he’s got all it takes to get us back on track. We don’t have to use the CHAN to judge him. We just need to encourage and support him and let him do his thing.

“Hopefully he is the right person to take us to where we want.”