U-23 AFCON 2019: Amapakabo Upbeat Olympic Eagles Will Make Nigeria Proud

Olympic Eagles head coach Imama Amapakabo is confident that the team will make a good impact at the 2019 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt and make Nigeria proud in the competition, reports Completesports.com.

The defending Champions will begin the defence of the title they won four years ago against Cote d’lvoire at the Al Salam Stadium on Saturday.

“We have players in camp here who are ready to give their all and do Nigeria proud any day, any time. We are quietly confident, and will take it one match at a time,” Amapakabo told nff.com

“We are quite aware that as defending champions, so much is expected of us. This team will throw everything into the battle and ensure it does not disappoint Nigerians.”

Amapakabo has been able to welcome the majority of his invited overseas-based professionals, and with the complement of glory–hungry home-based professionals, expects to brush aside the challenge of the Ivorians, Zambia and South Africa in the group phase.

Former FIFA U17 World Cup –winning captain Kelechi Nwakali will be stand –in captain, and will be expected to supply the ammunition from the midfield for the strikers, including his former U17 team mate Orji Okonkwo, to make hay at the fore.

The Nigeria team is brimming with hard workers, such as defenders Valentine Ozornwafor, Olisah Ndah, Sincere Seth and Anthony Izuchukwu. There are also midfielders Sunusi Ibrahim, Muyiwa Olabiran, Ndifreke Effiong.

England–based Tom Dele-Bashiru, who starred for the Nigeria U20 team at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Poland this year summer, is expected to provide some top competition experience and steel in the middle.

The Saturday’s game will kick-off at 3pm local time (2pm Nigerian time).