Lagos -Christian Chukwu, a former Chief Coach of the Super Eagles has described the goalless draw by the Eagles against the Amavubi Stars of Rwanda as encouraging.

He was reacting to the 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifying match played on Wednesday in Kigali.

Chukwu said that Coach Stephen Keshi should be given maximum support for the job because he was moving in the right direction in the re-building of the national team.

“ I give him my total support’’.

He, however, urged all football stakeholders and fans to be patient with the coach as the job of rebuilding a team a tedious one.

“Never mind the goalless draw in our clash with the Rwanda on Wednesday in Kilgali, those boys have started well with strong zeal and courage.

“We can see commitment and competition between home-based and foreign-based players and this had provided a good future for the team.

“I think Keshi is building a future for Nigeria, let us give them a year as re-building a team is not a day’s job,” he said.

A onetime Secretary-General of NFA, Fanny Amu noted that the match was supposed to have been won by the Eagles, saying, however, that the outcome was not bad.

“The goalless draw was a pass mark for the Eagles,’’ he said.

Amun, then commended the zeal and courage of the players and advised them to be more dedicated and work harder.

The Secretary of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), Patrick Okpavuerhe, said that it was only a coach who did not know his onions that would allow undue interference in his team.

“I think Keshi succeeded in his first competitive assignment because he still enjoys some freedom. He should make public his every decision.

“He should carry along Nigerians with him because it is only through openness that he can prevent interference,’’ Okpavuerhe said. (NAN)