BY SAB OSUJI

Coach Adebayo Gbadebo, a Nigerian trainer based in Thailand has voiced his optimism that Super Eagles could lift the ongoing 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations holding in Ivory Coast, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

Super Eagles on Friday saw off Angola 1-0 in a hectic quarter final match to seal their place in the last four of the tournament.

The Nigerians passed through a turbulent start to the championship, forcing Equatorial Guinea to a one-all draw in their Group A opening fixture.

Amidst castigation for the Jose Peseiro squad, the three time African Champions soldiered on, with 1-o wins against hosts, Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea Bissau respectively, a remarkable improvement that saw them reach the knock out stage where they eliminated perennial stubborn foes, Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 2-0 in their Round of 16 tie.

In Friday night's epic quarter final confrontation,Ademola Lookman's 41st minute cool finish saw Super Eagle dig out a pyrrhic 1-0 win against the Angolans, thus handing Nigeria a semi final ticket of Africa's flagship Football tournament.

And Adebayo Gbadebo, a former Stationery Stores and Nigeria international, spoke to Exclusivenews.com.ng from his base in Bangkok, Thailand, just minutes after the final whistle.

Gbadebo came to terms with Super Eagles performance on the night, saying the team now stand 70% chance of lifting the trophy.

"I'm impressed with their performance today. They are individually experienced and exposed and they brought these to the party today", starts Gbadebo from Thailand.

"The players moved the ball around better. They were patient too and defended very well. There was remarkable confidence in the team and this is the hallmark of experienced players.

"The players worked for each other. They put determination on display and focused too. I think this is good for them and they plucked the apple immediately it was ripe".

Gbadebo would go on to reflect on the the team's semi final and possible final games. 

"Yeah, it's 180 minutes to glory as you said and I think the Super Eagles have continued up their ante in every game. Their confidence is now high and will continue to soar in every game. 

"This is what is needed for a good finish in a big tournament like this. If you ask me, I would say, it won't be out of place or one asking for too much for them to emerge as overall winners of the championship.

"It's one game at a time but I see them stand 70 per cent chance to lift the trophy at the end of the tournament. They could only be stopped by a team that brings more confidence to the table or a much 'luckier' side", Gbadebo emphasised.