Nigeria U-17 head coach, Nduka Ugbade has expressed frustration with his team’s lack of goals and efficiency at the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations in Algeria.
The Golden Eaglets are getting ready to face South Africa in their last Group B match on Saturday night, and a win at Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium would secure a place for them in the tournament.
The five-time U17 World Cup champions have only managed to score just a goal (against Zambia) in two games, despite registering 43 shots in 180 minutes.
In a press conference on Friday, Ugbade recalled how his team scored many goals in their pre-tournament training camp in Abuja and lamented the contrasting fortune they are enduring in Algeria.
The former Remo Stars manager said: “We want to be more effective, more prolific infront of goal. It is a bit confusing because when we were in Nigeria preparing, we were scoring so many goals but when we came here we are not doing that. Sometimes with these young ones it is about psychology and we have addressed that.”
Ugbade further noted that they have moved on from their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Morocco on Wednesday with all eyes on South Africa.
The Amajimbos have also registered one win in two games, with their only victory coming in a five-goal thriller against Zambia on Wednesday.
“We have put the defeat against Morocco behind our backs and we are fully focused on getting a good result against South Africa,” he added. “We didn’t deserve to lose against Morocco because we dominated the game but couldn’t convert our chances.”
