U-17 Afcon: Burkina Faso is the obstacle between Eaglets and World Cup ticket
The quarter-final game between Nigeria and Burkina Faso at the ongoing Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Algeria is going to be a very interesting game, according to Nduka Ugbade, Head Coach of the Golden Eaglets.
Ugbade disclosed this on Wednesday at the pre-match press conference at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, as he noted that both teams are not strangers to each other having met at the final of the WAFU B U17 tournament in Ghana, where Nigeria triumphed 2 -1.
"The game is going to be very interesting. At the WAFU B tournament, we had Togo, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Niger and Burkina Faso. We did well to beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in the final.
"The only difference is that, this is AFCON, but surely is going to be an interesting game and very important game because victory will guarantee qualification for the FIFA World Cup.”
In a related development, Emmanuel Michael, who scored three goals at the WAFU B U17 tournament, said his teammates have respect for Burkina Faso. He, however assured Nigerians that the Eaglets will work very hard to win the game.
"We respect Burkina Faso, very good team. The team loves to play and never gives up.
"We hope to win the game. We will work very hard, play to the instructions of our coaches and win the game to qualify for the World Cup."
Meanwhile, Burkina Faso head coach Brahima Traore has stressed on the importance of teamwork as his team prepares to take on Nigeria in the quarter finals in Algiers on Thursday.
Traore says they expect a difficult duel against the Golden Eaglets and says teamwork will be the crucial ingredient to take them through.
“We go into the match with calmness but the enthusiasm to do well and achieve qualification to the World Cup. But, I have insisted with the players that we have to play together as a team and not individually. We want to achieve collectively as a team,” the tactician said.
They face Nigeria once again, having come up against them in the final of the WAFU Zone B qualification tournament, with Nigeria winning 2-1.
But the coach expects a different match up altogether.
“Both teams have changed and most of the players who played then are not in the team. It will be a different match and definitely tougher,” the coach stated.
He has reiterated that just like any other team in the last eight, they are motivated by the opportunity of qualifying for the World Cup.
"Our first goal is to reach the semi-finals and qualify for the World Cup, and we will do everything in our power to achieve it. Our second goal is to take the trophy to our country and win the title for the second time,” said the coach.
Midfielder Appolinaire Bougma says the players are also motivated by the allure of the World Cup.
“This is like a final because whoever wins plays at the World Cup. We will go into the match highly motivated and with our target of earning the qualification. We respect Nigeria as they are a good team but we will do everything to beat them,” he noted.
He says the motivation in the team is high, and the last victory against the defending champions Cameroon lifted their motivation and confidence heading into Thursday’s quarter final.
