The Gambia striker Adama Bojang has said he and his teammates are prepared to face their Nigerian counterparts ahead of the second semifinal of the ongoing U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The 18-year-old, who bagged a hat-trick in the Young Scorpions’ 5-0 win over South Sudan last Friday, revealed his happiness to be part of the squad that has made the nation proud at the tournament.
“We are preparing strongly and scoring goals is very important,” Bojang told the media. “I’m very happy to score many goals and contribute to helping the team reach this stage.
“During the qualifying tournament in Mauritania, I only played two matches, so I could not express myself. In this tournament the situation is different and I am trying hard to show my true level.”
Likewise, The Gambia’s coach, Abdoulie Bojang, who was named the Best Coach of the Group Stage, added that the clash against the Flying Eagles will be a tactical battle.
“It is going to be a tactical battle,” Bojang said. “We will respect them and put up a respectable performance on the pitch tomorrow.
“Like I always said football is beyond what is on paper. You can get all the records but what I believe is what can we produce during the 90 minutes of play.
“Nigeria is the only team standing between us and the final. We want to be champions and that can only happen when we beat a champion,” he added. “We are a committed team but we must do everything we can to win and reach the final.”
The clash between the Flying Eagles and the Young Scorpions will be the first meeting between the two sides in 16 years after Nigeria defeated Gambia 1-0 in the semifinals in Brazzaville. Both sides will face each other at the Cairo International Stadium at 6pm WAT.
