Nigeria’s U-20 men’s team, the Flying Eagles, will take on the Young Lions of Teranga in their first match at the 2023 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Egypt from February 19 to March 11.
Ahead of the Flying Eagles opener against Senegal on Sunday, Afrosport had a chat with the team’s media officer, Shariff Abdallah who spoke about the West African champions’ chances at the 17th edition of the continental youth tournament.
“Nigeria is one name in world football [not just in Africa] that invokes fear in any team,” Abdallah said.
“I believe there is no pressure on this team and I am absolutely confident and optimistic in the quality we have and we will definitely go far in the competition.”
Abdallah went on to reiterate his support for the Ladan Bosso-led team and claimed that Nigeria will have an advantage against the Young Lions of Teranga due to their tournament experience over the years.
He said: “Don’t forget that when it comes to this competition, we have enjoyed success, and I mean both in the senior and junior levels.”
“In the senior level, we have won the AFCON three times while Senegal just won their first. Also, at this level, in 2015, we defeated them [Senegal] in Dakar, when they were the host, to lift our seventh title.”
“So, I believe we will definitely come on top again on Sunday, even if it is just by a lone goal,” he affirmed.
The Flying Eagles defeated Congo Brazzaville 2-1 in a friendly match played in Morocco over the weekend and are set to take on the Central African Republic on Wednesday as they continue to wrap up their preparations for the biennial tournament.
The young Eagles will head to the land of the Pharaohs this week as they begin the search for their eighth U-20 AFCON title.
The tournament will kick off on Sunday, February 19, with hosts Egypt taking on Mozambique while the two West African giants will battle it out in the other group game.
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