The 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations will kick-off in Cairo, Egypt on Sunday with Nigeria’s Flying Eagles looking to win a record extending eighth title.
Ladan Bosso’s tutored side head into the competition in buoyant mood having won 18 and drawn one of their last 19 outings.
The Flying Eagles were the standout team at the WAFU B U-20 regional tournament in May 2022 in Niger.
The Nigerian boys defeated eternal rivals, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Benin Republic to win the competition and secure a berth in Egypt 2023.
RECORD
The Flying Eagles are the most successful side in the history of the U-20 having won the competition.seven times in the past.
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The West Africans won their first title in 1983 and last tasted success in the competition in 2015 edging out hosts Senegal 1-0 in the final.
The Flying Eagles have lost only two finals in 1999 and 2007 while finishing third on three occasions in 1995, 2005, 2013 and fourth in 2019.
They are making a return to the competition after missing out two years ago in Mauritania.
QUOTES
“The boys have been motivated, they are in good shape, we have the full support of everyone around us and we’re positive in whatever we do.
“We want to be the best and so we have prepared a team that will beat the best.
“I have the confidence in the team and that we will take our chances.
“The least target (at the U20 AFCON) is qualification to the U20 World Cup, whatever happens after that will be a bonus.
“We can’t start well and finish badly,” head coach, Ladan Bosso.
“We’re fully prepared going into Egypt.
“We are unshaken that our opening game is against Senegal because we’re now 19 matches unbeaten right from the WAFU B qualifiers.
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We will make Nigerians proud, we only need their prayers and support and by the special grace of God we are coming back with the trophy,” captain Daniel Bamaiyi.
MATCH SCHEDULE (GROUP A)
19 February: Senegal – Nigeria, 19h00 Local time, Cairo International Stadium, Cairo
22 February: Nigeria – Egypt, 19h00 Local time, Cairo International Stadium, Cairo
25 February: Mozambique – Nigeria, 19h00 Local time, Cairo International Stadium, Cairo
By Adeboye Amosu
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COMMENTS
What happened to Dominion Ohaka? He should be in this Flying Eagles team.
For psychological reasons and to avoid the end of winning run talk, the team must stop counting the friendlies as a winning run because the real busing starts now. Goodluck to the U20 team I believe Bosso has learnt from old failures judging by recent event of results. Goodluck to Team Nigeria!!!
Is Ladan Bosso actually a failure?
He has improved unlike before that he failed miserably. Except if you started watching football last year.
How did he fail miserably?For all i know he got to the last eight of the 2007 under 20 world cup though lost by a heavy scoreline but stretched the host chile for the game to finish after 120mins.His team was runners up in Africa playoffs prior to the world cup,that to me is not a failure besides we discovered a few players from that squad that was part of our 2013 nations cup success so on the grounds of youth sports basis that was an achievement.
He was appointed the under20 coach 3years ago he didn’t make it to the next phase but his team played fantastically and dominated their opponents only to squander chances upon chances but they held their heads high as they were eliminated.
The football authorities were impressed by what they saw in his team and decided to give him another chance which he took by the scruff of the neck.
Ladan Bosso is a very good coach who likes to play dominant and beautiful football he’s no failure not a chance…!