Nigeria’s Flying Eagles Face Must-Win Clash Against Cote d’Ivoire in WAFU B U20 Championship

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles Face Must-Win Clash Against Cote d’Ivoire in WAFU B U20 Championship

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The Flying Eagles, seven-time African champions, must secure a two-goal victory over Cote d’Ivoire’s Young Elephants on Thursday to advance to the semi-finals of the WAFU B Under 20 Championship.

 

 

The Cup holders Nigeria know they must attain a different shape and be at their very best when they confront the Young Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, if they are not to exit this year’s WAFU B Under 20 Championship at the group stage.

 

Following a shocking 1-0 defeat to Burkina Faso’s Young Etalons on Friday, Nigeria’s path to the last four has become increasingly challenging.

 

 

The Etalons’ subsequent loss to the Elephants has further complicated the group standings.

 

 

The intricacies of a three-team group have fully come to the fore, with each team having to play only two matches, and a single loss meaning that a team could be on the way out of a tournament.

 

Nigeria must overcome the Ivorians to defend their crown and secure a spot in the Under 20 AFCON.

 

 

NFF President urges team  to re-invent themselves .

 

 

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who watched the Flying Eagles lose to a second-half goal on Friday, expressed disappointment over the loss but remains optimistic: “I believe the coaches and players will devise a strategy to overcome the Ivorians. Nigerians expect a strong performance from the team.

 

“ I am not happy about the result. We expected a win and the three points, particularly as they are in a three-team group which can be delicate.

“ However, I believe the coaches and the players will sit up and come up with a strategy to overcome the Ivorians.

 

 

 

“ Nigerians are expecting so much from the team. As defending champions, it will not be good for us not to qualify for the Under 20 AFCON, having reached the quarter-finals at the FIFA World Cup last year.”
Nigeria Thursday’s encounters against   Cote d’Ivoire’s Young Elephants at the Municipal Stadium, Lome will commence at 4pm Nigeria time.

A win is crucial for the Flying Eagles to keep their title defense alive.

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