Nigeria Under-20 manger, Ladan Bosso, has acknowledged the threat the Mozambique Under-20 team possesses as both sides prepare to face each in the final Group A of the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday.
The Flying Eagles defeated Egypt hosts 1-0 last time out while the Young Mambas were trashed 3-0 by Senegal.
Despite that heavy defeat, Bosso is not going carried away, citing the goalless draw the Mozambicans recorded with Egypt as sign they would not be easy to beat.
“Mozambique is not a pushover team because I saw their match against Egypt. They played well and they’re determined so we don’t want to take chances. We have to go all out to get the maximum points,” Bosso said on the CAF website.
“The first match against Senegal we had an edge to win that match but Senegal took the lead and the second Match against the hosts Egypt was a very technical team.”
Nigeria’s only goal so far at the ongoing U-20 AFCON has come from a corner kick which was scored by a powerful header from defender Solomon Agbalaka and Bosso has cited set pieces as one of the key strengths of his team which they will use to their advantage.
“Normally when you’re going for tournaments like this you have to work on the set pieces because these are areas where if it’s tactically done you can get easy goals from them,” Bosso continued.
“Set pieces have continued to be one of our assets in getting goals.”
The Flying Eagles managed to reach the #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 knockout stages in their last 7️⃣ appearances 😮
🇳🇬 Will Nigeria make it 8️⃣ in a row? 🤔 #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 | @NGSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/thM7IU7J5s
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 (@CAF_Online) February 25, 2023
Victory against Mozambique will guarantee Nigeria’s progress to the quarter-finals alongside Senegal who have won their first two matches and will conclude their group phase campaign at against Egypt.
