Ikhana believes Nigeria can still qualify for the Olympics

Khadiri Ikhana was appointed coach of the under-23 side when Musa Abdullahi was sacked following a 4-3 loss to Senegal.

On Saturday, the Nigerian youngsters get a chance for revenge as they host Senegal in Kano - a game Ikhana says his team must win.

"We know full well that we must take not only one match but the three matches ahead of us seriously," the Olympic coach told BBC Sport.

"If we drop any point out of the nine points left, we are out of the Athens Olympic Games."

It will be the first game in charge for the man who led Enyimba to Champions League glory in December 2003.

However, Ikhana was present in Dakar to watch his new charges lose a seven goal thriller.

"I just came on board about three weeks ago," Ikhana said.

"I had the opportunity to watch the match live in Dakar.

"I believe we can turn the tables over Senegal and go through to win the match.

"I believe that we have all it takes to beat them at home.

"We are battle-ready.

"We have prepared psychologically, physically, tactically and technically."

In the light of those preperations, Ikhana is confident for his new charges.

"I am one person that never loses hope until the end," he said.

"I still believe there is a big chance because there are three more games to go and if we can take the three games, that will qualify us for the Olympics."

Nigeria lie second in Group A behind fellow West Africans Senegal, and only the group winners qualify for the Olympics.