FLYING Eagles head coach Ladan Bosso is confident his side have what it takes to defeat Uganda and advance to the semi-finals of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, which will guarantee a FIFA U-20 World Cup spot.
Nigeria battle Uganda in Ismailia on Thursday in the quarter-finals of the African tournament, with a ticket to the World Cup in Indonesia in May and June at stake.
The key clash is billed for the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia from 6pm Nigerian time on Thursday, and Bosso says that while he does not underrate the East Africans, he has faith in his boys to make Nigeria proud and reach the tournament’s last four.
“Before we left our training camp in Morocco, the NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, told us clearly that the first objective should be getting a ticket to the FIFA World Cup. We are at that most important stage now and we cannot afford to falter,” Bosso told the NFF media team today.
“We are aware that Nigerians are looking up to us to deliver. While our mission remains bagging the World Cup ticket, we are also eyeing the trophy, which is still a number of matches away.
“For the moment, we have Uganda in our view and we are working hard to see that we control proceedings on Thursday.”
Two-time silver medallists and one-time bronze medallists Nigeria are seeking to make another appearance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, hunting for a first medal since 2005, when they lost in the final to a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina, with Mikel Obi the star of the team.
While the Flying Eagles lost their opening game in Egypt to Senegal before recovering to finish second in Group A, Uganda claimed top spot in Group B, which also included Congo, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
They defeated Central African Republic 2-1, and drew 2-2 and 0-0 with Congo and South Sudan respectively, and won the group through a drawing of lots after finishing with the same points, goal difference and goals scored with Congo.
Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles will be without team captain Daniel Bameyi due to accumulation of two yellow cards. The defender was cautioned twice in the group games against Senegal and Mozambique.
All four winners of the quarter-final ties will advance to the semi-finals of the competition, but more importantly, qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia.
