Nigeria’s youth national team, Flying Eagles are heading into their first match at the West African Football Union (WAFU) zone-B qualifiers for the 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in high spirits, as the assistant coach of the side, Jolomi Atume says the only plan they have is to emerge champions.
Speaking ahead of their opening game against Coe d’Ivoire on Sunday, megasportsarena.com can report that Atume disclosed that the players are determined to start well in Porto Novo, Benin Republic, as they aim to emerge winners of the qualifiers.
He went on to declare that the best way to prove their aspirations right is by beginning the contest on winning note, hence their desire to start well in their opening game against Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday.
The assistant to Isah Ladan Bosso further revealed that one strong factor going in favour of the Flying Eagles is that they were unbeaten in their build-up to the 2021 AFCON U20 qualifiers, with series of tune-up games at their camp in Abuja for about a month, before heading out to Porto Novo by road on Friday.
Camp insiders have already tipped five players to stand out for the Flying Eagles in Porto Novo, Benin Republic, with fast-rising central defender, Chris Nwaeze already rating high with his calm and versatile abilities, as he can also play as defensive midfielder.
Nwaeze has already been tagged as ‘The Gentle Giant’ of Bosso’s new Flying Eagles, with his adequate command of the squad’s back-four, in which he has formed a great understanding with the hard-tackling Isaiah Ejeh.
Also cited in this regard is Mohammed Abdallah, a creative and energetic central midfielder that has become a promising addition to the team since he led Nasarawa United of Lafia to outplay the Flying Eagles in a friendly game; and his ubiquitous ability has now revealed that the under-20 squad’s midfield could have two defensive midfielders so that he can perform at his best.
Same goes for Kwara United of Ilorin dazzler, Farayola Olawale, who is widely regarded as the biggest revelation of the current assemblage by Bosso, with his lightning-fast bursts down the right wing and sterling efforts that have seen him rated ahead of Sunshine Stars of Akure sensation, Omojesu Ogunniyi.
Also listed among the rising stars to watch in Bosso’s squad is Chisom Orji, a left sided winger and one of the more experienced players in this team, having featured at last year’s Africa U23 Cup of Nations with the Olympic Eagles handled by Imama Amapakabo.
This youngster, who has matured remarkably since that international exposure under the tutelage of Imama, is highly rated with his bag of tricks and his ability to weigh in with his fair share of goals, which make him a star attraction to watch out for at Porto Novo 2020.
The fifth lad to watch is Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi, a highly ambitious and confident striker that strolled uninvited into Bosso’s camp but soon emerged as the team’s top attacker, especially after he hit home a hat-trick in training; and the lad from Giant Brillers FC is already rated among the lot to make hay against Cote d’Ivoire in their opening match on Sunday (starting 4pm at Stade de Galles).
Bosso’s lads will seek the perfect start, as their next game will be a potentially explosive affray with perennial rivals Ghana on Wednesday in their final Group B fixture, while Group A has hosts Benin Republic, Togo, Niger Republic and Burkina Faso.
Atume, though, is not holding any complexes heading into the competition, as the youth developer from Delta State boasted: “We will come back with the trophy. Both Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana are potential champions, that’s why for our first game (vs Cote d’Ivoire), the three points are not negotiable.”
