The Flying Eagles cannot afford to lose today’s opening Group B U20 AFCON qualifying match against Burkina Faso today as such a setback may not be easily remedied in their three-team group.
The defending champions are in a tight first round group and a loss today will pile more pressure on them to reach the knockout rounds of the tournament in Togo.
After today’s match, the Flying Eagles, a mix of NPFL stars and exciting players from top local academies, will have to wait for six long days before they play their final group game against Cote d’Ivoire.
Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubairu has stated clearly that No.1 target in Togo is a ticket to next year’s U20 AFCON in South Africa.
But his team have to first negotiate a tricky Group B that houses two of the sub-region’s power houses.
The presence of NFF president Ibrahim Gusau is expected to raise sagging team spirit.
Nigeria’s foes today Burkina Faso are made up of the country’s U17s from two years ago.
The Golden Eaglets beat their Burkina Faso counterparts in the final of the U17 AFCON qualifiers in Ghana in 2022.
Today’s clash, which kicks off 4pm Nigerian time at the Municipal Stadium in Lome, promises to be a physical battle for the Flying Eagles against the Junior Stallions, who are bigger in size.
The Junior Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire will be the other stumbling block for the Flying Eagles as they have enjoyed a good build-up to this competition after they shone at the Toulon Tournament in France.
