AFCON U-20: Nigeria, Uganda battle for World Cup ticket in Egypt
Nigeria's Flying Eagles and Uganda's U20 Men’s National Team will be battling it out on Thursday at the ongoing U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Two things are at stake in the game billed for the 22,000-capacity Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia from 7 pm Egypt time (6 pm Nigeria time)
The Hippos take on Nigeria in a quarterfinal clash well aware that the winner will not only progress to the semifinals but also seal a ticket to the U20 FIFA World Cup.
Despite Uganda playing up to the final in the previous edition two years ago, the World Cup did not come to reality since the tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Today’s encounter at the Suez Canal therefore presents a second bite at the cherry.
It should be noted that the four teams that reach the semifinals will represent Africa at the FIFA World Cup slated for May in Indonesia.
Coach Jackson Mayanja has never shied away from confirming that the ultimate target is to go to the World Cup.
“From the time I was given the role as Hippos coach, I made it clear that qualification to the World Cup is the goal. We have come along way and now closer to it. We play Nigeria which is a strong side but we know what this match means to us. It is a game that can turn around Ugandan football, change our lives, especially for the players.” He said.
Captain Isma Mugulusi who was part of the team that played in Mauritania two years ago is aware of what today’s game means.
“It is a big game against a big nation with history but we also want to write history. We are going to go all out, leave everything on the pitch because this is the moment we have been waiting for.” Said the soft spoken forward.
The Flying Eagles coach, Ladan Bosso is also looking towards making Nigeria proud with a twin ticket to the World Cup and the semifinal of the U-20 AFCON.
He said: “Before we left our training camp in Morocco, the NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau told us clearly that the first objective should be getting a ticket to the FIFA World Cup. We are at that most important stage now and we cannot afford to falter.
“We are aware that Nigerians are looking up to us to deliver. While our mission remains bagging the World Cup ticket, we are also eyeing the trophy, which is still a number of matches away. For the moment, we have Uganda in our view and we are working hard to see that we control proceedings on Thursday.” Bosso said during the build-up to Thursday’s make-or-mar clash.
Nigeria would have to play Thursday's must-win match without captain Daniel Bameyi.
