Flying Eagles Head Coach, Isah Ladan Bosso, has cried stating that he’s delivered on his primary assignment of taking the national team to the AFCON U-20 tournament in Egypt.
Because, to Bosso, the primary assignment was to qualify the Nigeria Youth team for the next edition of the FIFA U-20 W’Cup tournament. And he has done just that.
Speaking to Pulse Sports before the semi-final match against Gambia, Ladan Bosso agreed that the team had a lot of support from the presidency. And also the NFF; even from his counterparts back in Nigeria.
Ladan Bosso Explains Objective Of AFCON Outing In Egypt:
“This is for Nigeria. We have a lot of support, a lot of sponsors and a lot of encouragement from my people back home. And from the Presidency to the Federation, my colleagues, coaches in Nigeria. Everybody is praying and thanking God for the team,” he told Pulse Sports Nigeria and was quoted by NPFLUpdates.
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“Of course we have come to this stage. As we said earlier, the primary objective of coming was to get the World Cup ticket and we have done that. But we all want to go back to Nigeria with pride, that’s go back with the trophy as we did in Niger.”
Bosso stressing the importance of winning the AFCON trophy, highlighted that it would be a good addition to the CVs of the players. And that of the coaches that traveled to Egypt with the team.
The Importance Of Winning The AFCON:
“If we can go back to the country with the trophy, it’s an added advantage. To our Curriculum vitae, and that of the players,” he added.
But sadly, Nigeria Monday evening was stunned by Gambia U-20. An early strike from striker Bojang have the Gambians the lead.
And efforts to restore parity in the first half by Nigerians proved abortive. But, late into the second, the Flying Eagles was presented with the best chance of the evening. Because striker, Abdulahi Ahmed was caught by the Gambian Goalkeeper inside the penalty box.
Sadly, the 19-year-old KAA Gent forward dashed missed dashing the dreams and hopes of many Nigerians.
Gambians stood their ground and progressed to the finals. And the dream of an 8th AFCON U-20 title for Nigeria will continue some other day.
The Flying Eagles will now trade tackles with the Junior Carthage Eagles of Tunisia for the bronze medal.
