NFF president Amaju Pinnick has predicted Nigeria will bounce back in the AFCON qualifiers on their way to retaining the continental crown.

The NFF boss while addressing players of the Super Eagles in Abuja said, “We want you all to continue to be heroes. Not from heroes to zero. We can do it, we have done it before.

Nigeria’s midfielder John Obi Mikel (L) defends against Sudan’s Muhannad El Tahir (C) during the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifying football match in Khartoum on October 11, 2014. Sudan defeated Nigeria 1-0. AFP PHOTO/EBRAHIM HAMID

“Whatever is happening right now is just a phase, we see you guys play and know you are capable.

“If we win this match on Wednesday, I have the strong feeling that we will qualify and get to the finals and win the Nations Cup again.”

After Saturday’s shock loss in Sudan, Nigeria are now bottom of Group A with a single point halfway through the qualifying tournament.

On Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria host Sudan, who are now third in the standings with three points.

And next month, they travel to second-placed Congo, who defeated them 3-2 in Calabar in September, before they welcome group leaders South Africa.

They must now have to win their remaining three matches and hope other results in the group go their way if they were to qualify for the championship.