Head Coach Nduka Ugbade has told his Nigeria U17 boys they still have grounds to conquer despite securing a ticket to the Africa U17 Cup of Nations taking place in Algeria next year.
“We are going into the Final match, and we are up against Burkina Faso, a team that has won all its four matches in this competition. We have also won our three matches here but we must win the fourth and final one to clinch the trophy,”Ugbade told thenff.com.
“Let us not allow Burkina Faso to play five matches and win all five matches. We must work assiduously to win all our four matches here to be the only undefeated team of the tournament.”
Ugbade and the Eaglets have drawn rave reviews so far at the WAFU B U17 Championship, after scoring 10 goals in their three matches, while conceding only four, as left back Emmanuel Michael picked up the Man-of-the-Match award in each of the three games.
Read Also:2022 WAFU B Final: Manu Garba Warns Golden Eaglets Against Complacency Vs Burkina Faso
While Nigeria did the business in a three-team Group A that also included hosts Ghana and Togo, Burkina Faso were in the four-team Group that included Niger Republic, Cote d’Ivoire and Benin Republic. The Young Etalons dominated them all, and then pipped three-time world champions Ghana 1-0 in the second semi final on Tuesday to set up a potentially explosive Final with the Golden Eaglets.
Deadball revelation Emmanuel Michael will be the cynosure of eyes at the Cape Coast Stadium on Friday evening, having scored thrice from free-kicks for Nigeria in this tournament. The match begins at 6.30pm Ghana time (7.30pm Nigeria time).
Nigeria and Burkina Faso are already qualified to the Africa U17 Championship which Algeria will host next year, and from which Africa’s flagbearers to next year’s FIFA U17 World Cup in Peru will emerge.
Victory on Friday evening will mean Nigeria have swept the stakes in youth football in the seven-nation WAFU B within one month, with the U20 Boys (Flying Eagles) having won the WAFU B U20 Championship in Niger Republic just last month.
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COMMENTS
The journalist wrote we conceded “only four in three matches” haha.Four goals in as many games is a lot.It doesn’t matter how many you scored,a team that let in four goals in three games is not disciplined.
I wish the golden eaglets good fortunes,however,the Burkinababes are a very good side i cannot beat my hand on my chest that we will emerge victors tomorrow because we are playing a team with equal strength.
These boys will surely beat Burkinafaso tomorrow if the minimize the characteristic fouls they commit around the vital area. Even Burkinafaso has the same failing of being loquacious in front of goal!
**they minimize***
Burkina Faso boys are too gentle, they were down against Ivory Coast twice before they come back and beat them 4 goals to 2. We shall see but I believe in eaglets in this final.
Me 2
The final is anyone’s game depending on their state of mind and determination. It is the team who is hungrier for it that will take it. Both had exhibited similar level of tactics and technicality but the Burkinabes are lanky and more sleeky on the field of play.
Our Golden Eaglet needs to be more clinical infront of goals, should avoid playing to the gallery in and outside their box. They should defend strongly, avoid unnecessary fouls in this vital area and above all, should avoid conceding the first goal because when you have your back on the ground in the final game, it is always very difficult to be at your best and play your normal game. Tension and fears set in
With sheer of luck and favour, I believe they can win the game and bring the cup to Nigeria