CHAN Eagles coach Imama Amapakabo has reacted after a 4-1 thrashing by Togo in the 2020 African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifying at the Stade de Kegue on Sunday.

Nasarawa United striker Sunusi Ibrahim gave Nigeria the lead in the 8th minute before the Togolese trio of Richard Nane (16′ and 67′); Tchakei Marouf (75′); and Agoro Ashraf (90+2′) completed the comeback for The Sparrow Hawks.

Togo put themselves in pole position to qualify for the Chan tournament scheduled for Cameroon next year but Home-based Eagles coach Amapakabo has come under intense criticism for the scandalous defeat, with suggestions they may have underestimated the potentials of their hosts.”No, we never underrated our opponents. That would have been a foolish thing to do in football,” The Enugu Rangers NPFL title-winning manger said in a press statement released by the Nigeria Football Federation.”The truth is that we fielded mainly a young team that could not really live up to expectations technically compared to the senior players in the Togolese side who have gained experience over the years.”However, we have taken this as a learning curve moving forward and awaiting the return match.” Amapakabo remains optimistic that his team haa not lost out in the race to earn CHAN 2020 berth.”It is absolutely wrong to think or conclude that this (first leg) match would determine the team that qualifies.”It is a game of two halves, one half has been played, another half still remains to be decided.”We know for a fact that no two games are ever the same. Between now till October 19, when the return leg match would be played is still quite enough time (for us) to make amends.”It is after the return leg match in Nigeria that the picture would become clear as to who qualifies.”Nigeria host Togo on October 19 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba for the return leg.