Nigeria U20 head coach Ladan Bosso has dedicated his team’s 2-0 victory against Argentina in round 16 of the FIFA U-20 World Cup to newly-elected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Two second-half goals from Ibrahim Beji Muhammad and Rilwanu Haliru Sarki powered the Flying Eagles into the quarter-final of the tournament.
The result marked Nigeria’s first win against Argentina in the age-grade tournament after they lost to the South American country in the 2005 U20 World Cup final in the Netherlands.
Following the win in San Juan, the former Abia Warriors and El-Kanemi Warriors coach said his players will take their progress in the competition as an avenue to continue displaying their talents on the global stage.
Bosso said: “I have told my boys to be focused and they should remain humble even in victory, and of course, the journey has just started. The more we go far, the better chances they have to showcase themselves to the world.
“Most importantly, a lot of people did not give us the chance and I believe that we are here to put a smile on the faces of Nigerians. That’s just the process.
“We can see there is a new democratic leadership back home from the presidency to the governors, and I emphatically dedicate tonight’s win to the new President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and we continue to do our best to make this team the first to lift the U20 World Cup for Nigeria.”
When asked about their quarter-final opponent – winner of the match between Ecuador and South Korea, Bosso added: “I said in Abuja when the draw was done that the harsher it starts, the easier the end.
“I believe there is no team that we face that will be more difficult than Italy, Brazil and even the host country Argentina so we just to be focus and more humble.”
