Ugbade: Golden Eaglets Must Focus On Mexico, Not All-African Final 

By Izuchukwu Okosi:

Golden Eaglets' assistant coach to the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup triumph in the United Arab Emirates, Nduka Ugbade, has admonished the team to concentrate on their game against Mexico and not think yet of an all-African final against Mali.

Ugbade, who was captain of the Nigerian U-16 side that won the FIFA JVC U-16 World Championship in China 30 years ago, bared his mind in a live television programme on Channels TV Wednesday, monitored by Completesportsnigeria.com.

"The concentration now should be on the game against Mexico. The Mexicans were a team we defeated twice in UAE," Ugbade said.

"First they said they had seen our game after defeating them 6-1 in the group stages but the result of what they saw was a 3-0 defeat in the final. So naturally you would expect them to be on a revenge mission.

"As for the Malians, they are bigger and would want to bank on their physical strength if they defeat Belgium and we also defeat Mexico. But really we should pay attention to the semi-finals game first before thinking of an all-African final."

The Nigeria versus Mexico game kicks off 12 midnight Thursday into Friday morning Nigerian time.