Fans optimistic Golden Eaglets will qualify for youth World Cup

NIGERIANS have attributed the late equaliser by the Golden Eaglets against their Guinean counterparts as an indication of the team’s zeal to excel at the ongoing African Youth Championships.

The U-17 national team drew 1-1 with Guinea at the competition in Niamey, Niger Republic on February18.

The fans, who spoke to NAN in separate interviews, were optimistic that the Eaglets would defeat their Zambian opponents in their next group match on Feb. 21.

Ndak Lawrence, the Head, Football Department, Nigerian Institute of Sports (NiSports), said the Eaglets would play better in their next match.

He said that team’s goal showed that they were determined to succeed but that they failed to exhibit team spirit.

“We played a good game though the boys lacked cooperation, especially in the first half of the game.

“The second half saw a better game and we had our goal, it shows that the boys wanted to win but did not channel their chances right.

“I believe that we will do better in our next game against the Zambians and we will qualify to the Youth World Cup,’’ he said.

A former Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Joe Erico, said the boys would succeed in their next match though they did not play in unison against the Guineans.

“The boys played their best, but I guess it wasn’t good enough.

“I saw that they wanted a win in the second half when they realised that they were at a loss.

“I strongly believe in our next match, we will perform better giving the fact that they have learnt from their mistakes.

“I believe in the coach and his technical team are up to make us proud,’’ Erico said.

Henry Nwosu, a former Green Eagles forward, said the boys should be more proactive in their approach to the next match and learn how to play together as a team.

“The game was almost going to the Guineans before the boys started playing our game.

“This is not supposed to be so, and I do not know what happened to them as to why they allowed it that way.

“I am glad we came back to the game and had our chance to equalise and I know we are going to win our next match because they know what is at stake,’’ he said. (NAN)