Bosso confident Flying Eagles will progress as Senegal celebrate victory over Nigeria
The coach of Nigeria’s U-20 team Bosso is confident that his team will learn from their mistakes and qualify for the next round.
Flying Eagles coach Ladan Bosso has assured that his team will improve on their mistakes from their 1-0 loss to Senegal and qualify for the knockout rounds of the 2023 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Seven-time champions Nigeria were looking to begin their U-20 AFCON on a good note when they took on Senegal. However, it was a very disappointing display from the Bosso’s team.
They had just one shot on target in the first 87 minutes, the attack was blunt, and the midfielders could not string passes together.
However, the coach of Nigeria’s U-20 team Bosso is confident that his team will learn from their mistakes and qualify for the next round.
“We take advantage of tournaments like this in order to develop our level and work to fix our mistakes,” Bosso said per the CAF website.
“In the end, I trust the team and their ability to qualify for the next round, and that we will achieve our biggest goal, which is to reach the World Cup.”
Nigeria’s next opponent is hosts Egypt. The young Pharaohs drew their opening game against Mozambique, and they will desperate to get a win. Bosso is aware of the threat they pose.
“The next match is very difficult, especially since it will be against Egypt, the host country,” Bosso added.
“Egypt’s draw against Mozambique will make it more difficult because their desire to win will multiply.”
Nigeria have to win their next game against Egypt to stand a good chance of qualifying from their group. The Flying Eagles will square off against the hosts on Wednesday.
The competition also serves as a qualification process for the World Cup. Only the four semi-finalists will earn World Cup tickets.
Meanwhile, Senegal coach Malick Daf says winning against Nigeria is a morale boosting achievement for his team.
“The result will greatly raise our morale and increase our desire to continue achieving more,” Daf told reporters.
“There was a strong desire from both teams to win today. We worked hard and put together the right plan to face Nigeria and win.”
"We thank God for achieving this important victory,” the former national U-17 coach said. “We faced the former African champions, who are a strong team, and they play very good football."
The West Africans will be hoping to secure their place in the last eight of the tournament in their second match of the group when they face Mozambique.
Senegal will battle the spirited Young Os Mambas who held hosts Egypt to a barren draw in Cairo and are keen on the result to help them to advance to the knock-out phase of the competition.
"We have an important match ahead of Mozambique, and then we will face Egypt. The task is not easy, but we will continue to fight for victory,” Daf added.
