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Former Nigeria national team coach coach John Obuh has said the Golden Eaglets played well against Morocco but their inability to convert scoring chances cost them the game.
The Eaglets suffered their first loss at the 2023 U-17 AFCON after going down 1-0 to Morocco in their second Group B game on Wednesday.
A second minute goal by Abdel Maali was enough to send Morocco into the quarter-finals.
Obuh, who led the Golden Eaglets to a second place finish at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, praised them for playing well but need to work on converting their scoring chances.
“The most important thing is that they played well but were not converting their chances, so it makes the task easier for the coaches, it would have been more difficult if they didn’t play well,” Obuh said on Brila FM.
“Now that they played well but couldn’t convert their chances I’m sure in their third game, which will be the decider, they will improve to score their goals.“
Obuh called on the players to take their destiny into their own hands ahead of their crucial final group game against South Africa on Saturday.
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“So at this moment the players are the ones to decide their fate. Once they make any mistake and they are sent back home the exposure for them will not be there anymore and their dreams will be shattered.
“At this particular time the players really have to talk to themselves in support of what the coach must have told them.“
6 Comments
Thank you Senior man. Yes the Eaglets did their best. But the coach let them down with his match interview. HE SAID THAT HE IS PERSONALLY AFRAID OF THE MOROCCANS. THIS IS WHERE HE HAD MISSED IT. IF A COACH SAYS HE IS AFRIAD OF HIS OPPONENT WHAT DO YOU WANT HIS PLAYERS TO DO?
Thank you Sir John Obu. I’m a fan of Ugbade’s team. The potential is there. The goals will come against South Africa hopefully. But I’m very satisfied with their style of play. I’m a bit surprised how they can’t find the target as they did in Ghana. If they could score goals in Ghana’s terrible pitches, I don’t understand why they can’t replicate the same in a far better playing surface.
Yet still, I love their style of play. South Africa keeper na proper basket, dem go collect.
Well spoken coach Obuh. The players have to take their chances. They needed to be calmer when in control of the game and, most especially, in front of goal.
Moroccans had a game plan, and they executed it very well. They needed an early goal, and they got it. They parked the bus for the rest of the match.
Our local coaches have to improve on this. Plan A,B, and if possible, C must be in place for them in every match. It is not about running without a purpose.
The Moroccans allowed Eaglets to play for the entire 90 minutes, but they didn’t allow them to shoot at goal. Bravo to the Moroccans.
I still believe that Golden Eaglets has what it takes to qualify to the World Cup. Good luck to our boys. Go make us proud against South Africa. God is in control. It is achievable. We can do it. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Even big teams in Europe struggle against Low-block and bus-parking teams. That’s how Mourinho and Simeone are successful. I remember Greece won Euro 2000 with the bus-parking system and disappeared into oblivion afterwards lol.
When playing against Low-block teams, you must take your chances. As soon as you score, it opens them up for serious massacre.
Lolz. I agree with you my man. Good luck to our boys on Saturday. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Lolz. I agree with you my man. Good luck to our boys on Saturday. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!