Cadet national team, Golden Eaglets attacker, Ibraheem Jabaar is leading the squad’s battle cry ahead of their second group match at this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil, as he says they will enter the match with more confidence than they had in their first game.
Jabaar admitted it took sheer determination and extra hard work from the players and coaches for them to beat Hungary last Saturday, but megasportsaredna.com further gathered that he also believes the lessons their learnt then will help them against Ecuador.
The youngster, who was named man of the match in the Eaglets’ last group game at the African U-17 Cup of Nations in Tanzania, when they settled for a 1-1 draw, after the Nigerian team were caught off guard allowing John Alou head home a free header in the 70th minute but Jabaar got a timely equaliser just three minute later.
He connected well a long pass from substitute Olakunle Olusegun and slotted past the onrushing Ugandan goalkeeper, to cap an all-round impressive personal performance on the day, as he was a constant threat to the defence of the Ugandans on both flanks, a repeat of which he believes he is capable of against Ecuador on Tuesday and in every subsequent game at Brazil 2019.
Heading into the 9pm kick off at Estádio Olímpico, Goiania, Jabaar may end up starting on the bench again, as Manu Garba’s preferred top striker, Wisdom Ubani has received the medical green light to make his second appearance in Tuesday’s showdown with Ecuador.
The Giant Brillars FC youngster had to be stretchered off in the closing minutes of the first half in the opener against Hungary but returned for the second half and played 30 more minutes before he was replaced, then was late Monday passed fit for Tuesday’s tie after taking part in training.
While Garba has kept faith with Ubani, who was in doubt for the championship after coping a knock during one of the build-up competitions, Jabaar’s place has been limited in the 21-man roster, but the youngster is staying up beat over his chances of also making his mark with the squad, which he says have God’s backing to go all the way to the trophy in Brazil.
Jabaar added: “I am happy that we won the match, and that I contributed my own. I told our coach that we will win the match, because I knew we will score once I started playing. We won the match, and I thank God for making it possible, because we are working hard every day.”
