Flying Eagles head coach Paul Aigbogun has told his players they must step up their game against Senegal in today’s Round of 16 encounter at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Poland, reports Completesports.com.
Aigbogun charges will battle their fellow West Africans for a place in the quarter-finals at the Lodz Stadium. Kick-off is 7.30pm Nigerian time.
The Flying Eagles only made it to the knockout stages as one of the four best third-placed teams in the competition.
The two-time finalists started the competition on a good note thrashing Qatar 4-0 but were far from convincing in the 2-0 defeat to the United States of America and the 1-1 draw against Ukraine.
Senegal on the other hand finished top of Group A with wins against Tahiti and Colombia and held hosts Poland to a draw.
The young Lions are also yet to concede a goal in the competition.
They head into the contest as the overwhelming favourites and Aigbogun reckoned his players will need to be at their best to win the game.
“Against Ukraine, I knew it was going to be a difficult game because they are very organized and tactical but we played well and the players organized themselves well in the second half,”he told reporters ahead of the game.
“Now it’s Africa against Africa which gives the game a much different dimension. They are a good team no doubt and we would show them the respect they deserve but we don’t fear them.
“We have to be at our best. They are a good team and we have to play our best football to defeat them on Monday night.”
By Adeboye Amosu
COMMENTS
Continue….. instead of you to capitalized on how to win in today’s match, you continued with your bla bla bla abi? If you win against Senegal in today’s match, it’s not your ability to do so but the players. You can’t give what you don’t have. NFF, can you see where you are talking Nigeria to? I hope you satisfied ba? Same scenarios with Super Eagles. Hmm… We are watching ooo. God bless Nigeria!!!
@Omo9ja, Super Eagles are in a class of their own and that includes coach Rohr… It’s important to check his records with our team, and based on his pedigree against African opposition, teams facing the Eagles need to fast and pray!
@Fqtee, may God spare our lives beyond this year Afcon. Fingers crossed. God bless Nigeria!!!
Where has the NFF taken Nigeria to?
Qualified for World Cup with a game to spare
Qualified for AFCON with a game to spare
Qualified for women’s World Cup
Women’s AWCON and Wafu champions
Qualified for under 17 World Cup 2019
Qualified for under 20 World Cup and second round 2019
On course to qualify for under 23 AFCON 2019 and possibly the Olympics 2020
This is against the backdrop of failing to qualify for AFCON 2015 and 2017, failing to qualify for under 17 World Cup 2017, failing to qualify for under 20 World Cup 2017.
Where is the NFF taking us? Progress in two years so much so that we are expecting rather than hoping for success
ppl hating Rohr for no just course,, pls kip it up ..
as for rohr’s team dey are d best d country can provide and I ll support ,,,
rohr’s tactics and game plan is somtin I can b proud of ,,,
I am happy wit d team and management
Hehehehe…..dont mind them my brother. When the story is about the falcons, they will mention Rohr…when the news is about U20, they will mention rohr….when its about u17, they will mention rohr….even when the report is about serena williams, they will still find a way of dragging rohr into the matter….Rohr must be blocking some people’s means of livelihood…that is why they cant get him out of their minds. They will soon crawl back to their holes as they always do eventually.
Aigbogun Aigbogun Aigbogun how times did I called you?pls use 3 5 2 against Senegal tomorrow, don’t bench Igoh for ozornwafor oooo.if u going to play ur usual 4 3 3, u can pair Igoh with ozornwafor in central defense then deploy Salau to right wing position that Rabiu is clueless anyway.But I will pls advise you to play 3 5 2, with Success and Emeka leading the attack.while Okon, Kingsley,ofoborh,utin and Jamil, anchoring the midfield, Igoh, Salau and ozornwafor as ur three central defenders.Just my opinion.