By Mohammed Allie BBC Sport, Tunis

Chukwu captained Nigeria when they won their first cup of Nations title in 1980

Nigerian coach Christian Chukwu has set his sights on becoming the first person to lift the Cup of Nations as captain and coach.

If he does so, he will go one better than Egypt's Mahmoud El Gohary who has the honour of being the only player and coach to lift the trophy.

Having guided his team to the quarter-finals of the Nations Cup, Chukwu believes he is on course to do the double.

"The team has improved with every game and everyone in the squad is focused on winning the Cup," he said.

Having won the Nations Cup as captain and assistant coach, it will be wonderful to complete the triple Christian Chukwu

Chukwu was widely regarded as one of the best Nigerian defenders of his generation.

He captained the Super Eagles to their first Cup of Nations triumph in 1980 when they beat Algeria 3-0 in the final.

In 1994, he assisted Dutchman Clemens Westerhof as the Super Eagles won their only other continental title.

"Having won the Nations Cup as captain and assistant coach, it will be wonderful to complete the triple," said Chukwu.

"With God's grace, if we can win the cup it will make the name Chukwu stick to the African Cup of Nations," said the man fondly known as 'the Chairman'.

Chukwu, who took over from Adegboye Onigbinde after Nigeria's first-round exit at the 2002 World Cup, also aims to guide the Super Eagles to the 2006 tournament in Germany.

"It is my ambition to qualify the team for the 2006 World Cup," he said.

"We have rejuvenated the team and if we can win this Cup of Nations, it could pave the way to restoring Nigeria's place at the top of African football."