Nigeria vs Egypt : " Like Argentina, like Flying Eagles " Bosso expects team to bounce back

By Olusola Adebayo 

The coach of the Nigeria U20 team, Ladan Bosso is optimistic that the Flying Eagles will overcome their initial setback of losing their first against Senegal drawing inspiration from Argentina's exploits at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The coach expects the team to bounce back to winning ways as the team faces the host nation Egypt on Matchday Day 2 on Wednesday at the Cairo International Stadium.  

The Nigeria U20 men's team lost narrowly to the Junior Teranga Lions of Senegal 0-1 in the opening game on Sunday but still stands a chance of qualifying for the quarter-final stage of the competition outrightly if the team can win their remaining two games in the group starting with Egypt on Wednesday.

The coach admitted that there are high expectations on the team back home but he believed the team can learn from their 1-0 loss to Senegal, correct their mistakes and bounce back to win the competition, like what Argentina did in the last 2022 Qatar World Cup where Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia in their opening match but later went on to win the trophy. 

He made this illustration at the press conference ahead of Nigeria vs Egypt encounter in Cairo, Egypt, and assured that there is time for the team to learn from their mistakes and beat Egypt as they cannot afford anything less.

Ladan said: " Judging by the high expectation back home and huge support from the NFF led by Ibrahim Gusau, we can't afford to give our best".

" Nevertheless, we lost the Senegal game we are supposed to win based on the performance of the first half but then God knows why". 

" We have to check out what are our weak points, where we go wrong, and make amendments before the match against Egypt".

" I just want us people to realize that the spirit is very high though after losing the match against Egypt the morale was down but we have to do our job as coaches to raise the spirit back.

"Of course, giving them, a reference point on what happened in Qatar 2022 where Saudi Arabia beat Argentina in the first match but Argentina went back home get their acts together, plan well, and win the trophy".

" Losing the first match is not something that cannot be amended, it's good we lost at the beginning instead of losing at the end time, I think we have time to adjust and we have done."  

" We have an idea of how the Egyptians play so we see how can overcome them, wants Nigerians to support and pray for the team, and by the grace of God they will put smiles on their faces," Bosso said. 

Nigeria is presently occupying the fourth position in the group with zero points and will tackle Egypt who is presently joint second with Mozambique on one point, a win for the Flying Eagles will boost their chances of qualifying from the group.

The kick-off of the match is 7 pm Nigeria time.