Nigeria v Gambia preview: Flying Eagles trying to tame Younger Scorpions

Nigeria will face off with Gambia for a spot within the remaining of the under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have already achieved their major purpose on the ongoing 2023 under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt which was to make it to the semi-finals and robotically qualify for the World Cup.

Ladan Bosso’s males achieved that feat with a 1-0 win towards Uganda within the quarter-final conflict final Thursday however should now flip their consideration to loftier objectives.

If Nigeria intends to win this event, then they need to first qualify for the ultimate by getting previous Gambia within the semis which is sort of frankly simpler mentioned than performed. 

Nigeria v Gambia preview

Nigeria’s journey on this event has been considered one of clear development because the Flying Eagles bounced again from opening day defeat to win three consecutive video games with out conceding.

Nevertheless, their subsequent opponents haven’t even had any setbacks to beat as Gambia’s event to this point is considered one of pure dominance and perfection.

The Younger Scorpions have received each single recreation on the 2023 under-20 AFCON all with out conceding a single purpose and scoring 9 instances in 4 matches.

Whereas the Flying Eagles narrowly edged Uganda of their quarter-final win, the Gambians had been emphatically ruthless, placing 5 unreplied objectives previous the helpless South Sudan.

In that one recreation, Gambia outscored Nigeria’s whole event to this point (4 objectives in 4 video games) which ought to be a supply of fear for head coach Ladan Bosso and a sign that the clear sheet run may be about to finish.

Which of those air-tight defences will collapse first? We are going to discover out on the Cairo Worldwide Stadium on Monday, March 6, 2023, with kickoff set at 6 pm Nigerian time.

Nigeria v Gambia head-to-head

These two nations have solely crossed paths twice earlier than at this stage and it was at this identical event in 2007 and 2011 with Nigeria rising victorious on each events. 

The Flying Eagles beat Gambia 1-0 within the semi-final of the event in Congo however went on to lose the ultimate to the host nation.

Nigeria then confronted Gambia once more 4 years later within the group stage of the 2011 under-20 AFCON in South Africa and the Flying Eagles emerged 2-0 winners because of objectives from Larry Kayode and Ramon Azeez.

It’s most likely a very good omen for Nigeria that they went on to win that event however it’s also vital to notice that this can be a very completely different Gambian staff to the one which completed backside of Group B in 2011.

Can the Flying Eagles make it a 3rd consecutive win over Gambia or will the Younger Scorpions lastly sting again this time?

Gamers to observe

Nigeria’s run at this event has largely been a staff effort which is additional confirmed by left-back Solomon Agbalaka being the standout Flying Eagle to this point.

The 19-year-old scored the successful purpose towards Egypt which proved to be the turning level for Nigeria and has been constantly strong all through the showpiece in Egypt.

Gambia then again have many stars however none have shone brighter than 18-year-old Adama Bojang whose hattrick towards South Sudan makes him the second-highest scorer at this event.

The Gambians have a couple of purpose risk although as 20-year-old Alagie Sane has additionally scored twice on this event whereas no Nigerian participant has scored greater than as soon as.

What’s being mentioned?

As is the norm earlier than large video games like this, each coaches are speaking robust and sounding assured of their groups’ possibilities of successful and advancing to the ultimate.

Gambia U20 coach Abdoulie Bojang mentioned, “Nigeria is the one staff standing between us and the ultimate. We wish to be champions, and that may solely occur once we beat a champion. We’re a dedicated staff, however we should do the whole lot we will to win and attain the ultimate.”

Whereas Flying Eagles handler Ladan Bosso had this to say, “We are going to face a staff that has not been defeated within the event. Crucial factor for us within the event is that we certified for the World Cup. Now we are going to struggle to win the title.”

“There are not any large or small groups in soccer as a result of it’s solely efficiency and consequence that counts,” Bosso continued in his protected strategy.

Associated content material

The defender was named man of the match towards Uganda after serving to Nigeria to safe a ‘dream’ ticket to the FIFA World Cup later this yr in Indonesia.

Hiya, and welcome to our dwell protection of the 2023 U-20 AFCON. It is Uganda’s Hippos vs Nigeria’s Flying Eagles in a must-win quarterfinal match.

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria can kill two birds with one stone within the quarter-final conflict towards Uganda.

The group phases of the thrilling age-grade competitors got here to an finish on Monday.

Quarterfinal matches would maintain on Thursday, March 2 and Friday, March 3.

The quarterfinals will see Senegal will play the third-placed staff in Group C, subsequent Thursday, and Nigeria play Group B’s runners-up, subsequent Friday.

Having completed second in Group A after a defeat and two wins, the Flying Eagles would within the subsequent week’s quarterfinal, face Group B’s runner-up.

Flying Eagles coach Ladan Bosso has gotten a number of criticism currently however his detractors are specializing in the incorrect issues

South Sudan recorded a historic 1-0 win over the Central African Republic on Thursday, with Paul Mara’s first-half penalty sealing the win for the Vivid Stars to brighten their possibilities of progressing.

Having completed second in Group A, the Flying Eagles would face considered one of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the quarterfinal.