Defiant Nigeria coach Christian Chukwu believes he has the players who can transform the Super Eagles from African Nations Cup flops to kings of the continent within two years.
What he hasn't got, however, is time.
Nigeria were knocked out of the Nations Cup on Wednesday by Tunisia on a penalty shoot-out, but Chukwu is adamant there is enough young talent in the country to make the team serious contenders again.
"We have taken the defeat in good faith," said Chukwu.
"There are lessons to be learned and we can go forward. But the team needs to stick together. There is the potential here to make Nigeria as great as they were in the 1990s."
Chukwu said he has great faith in the emerging talents of men like midfielders Gabriel Malcolm, who plays in Germany with Hansa Rostock, and Perugia's Christian Obodo.
But it remains to be seen whether country's football federation keeps him in the job.
Only last year, former England skipper Bryan Robson was lined up to lead the team into Tunisia only for the deal to be scuppered by a lack of cash.
Chukwu insists he would be happy to carry on with the national team even if it involves working alongside a foreign coach.
"My contract ends in August and I want to be involved. I have no problems at all about a foreign coach."
However, his first task is to ensure that Nigeria beat Mali in Monastir on Friday to secure third place.
"We want to win that match to take something from the tournament. The Nigerian people have started to once again believe in the team," said Chukwu who intends to still field a full-strength side.
The only changes from Wednesday's side will be Ikpe Ekong and Romanus Orjinta stepping in for the suspended Oluwaseyi Olofinjana and Isaac Okoronkwo.
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