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Fulham manager Marco Silva admits 'mixed feelings' after Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey reached the AFCON final with Nigeria's Super Eagles.
Fulham manager Marco Silva has admitted having mixed feelings after watching star players Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey help Nigeria reach the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that Iwobi and Bassey have played a pivotal role in the Super Eagles' impressive journey to the final of the 34th AFCON slated for Sunday.
Silva on Iwobi and Bassey
The Super Eagles booked their place in Sunday's showpiece with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over South Africa on Wednesday night, with midfielder Iwobi and defender Bassey both playing key roles.
However, their AFCON exploits have come at a cost for Premier League club Fulham, who have been without the duo since the start of the tournament last month.
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"Yes, for them and definitely for their country it's an important moment," Silva replied when asked by the club media about the duo’s achievement in Ivory Coast.
"But for us, it would have been much better to have them with us. It's been a long time to lose two key players."
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Iwobi and Bassey have been ever-presents for Nigeria in Cote d’Ivoire, starting all six of their games en route to the final.
But Silva has been unable to call on the pair since their 2-1 win against Arsenal on January 5th, with the Cottagers winning just one of their last seven matches across competitions.
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“For us, it is really tough, we cannot hide that situation,” the Fulham boss added. “But at the same time, it's an important moment for both individuals, for their country.”
“To be playing the final of an important competition. It's mixed feelings for us and me as a manager and the club.”
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Nigeria will face hosts Cameroon in Sunday's AFCON final, looking to be crowned African champions for the fourth time.
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