Ahead of the third-place match between Nigeria and Tunisia at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations later today in Egypt, Flying Eagles defender Abel Ogwuche has revealed the team is prepared to put their semifinal woes behind them as they push for a bronze medal.
The Swedish-based defender, who was named the Man of the Match in the quarterfinal victory over Uganda in Ismailia after coming in for suspended captain Daniel Bameyi, was present at the pre-match press conference on Thursday alongside head coach Ladan Bosso, who also said his team would do everything possible to win the tie.
The 19-year-old center back echoed the thoughts of his coach while reiterating that the team will be playing to finish the tournament with a medal after achieving their first objective of qualifying for the U-20 FIFA World Cup.
“We are a hundred percent prepared to take something back to Nigeria. We lost the last game but in football there can only be three outcomes,” Abel said.
“Tomorrow we will be coming out to win the game and take something back home and put a smile to our fans back home.
“This tournament is a great opportunity for us the players to be seen and showcase our talent and we will do our best,” the Trelleborgs FF defender added.
Ogwuche played a total of 12 minutes for the Flying Eagles in the group stages after coming on as a substitute in their wins over Egypt and Mozambique. However, the teenager defender, who played all the minutes in both games against the Young Scorpions of Gambia and Uganda, has shone for Nigeria at the tournament.
Ogwuche will be looking to continue his impressive performance when they lock horns with the Young Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in the third-place match at the Cairo International Stadium at 3 pm WAT.
YOU CAN CATCH THE U-20 AFCON MATCHES LIVE ON AFROSPORT TV
