The Flying Eagles, Nigeria’s U-20 team, are seeking to set another record at 19th edition of 2015 Orange CAF U-20 Championship in Senegal.
The team is seeking to win its seventh Africa Youth Championship title.
Nigeria has remained the most successful country in this Confederation of African Football, CAF Youth Championship having won it a record six times. The Flying Eagles emerged winners in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005 and 2011.
Nigeria launched their campaign at the ongoing 7th AYC championship on a winning note beating hosts Senegal 3-1 in the opener on Sunday at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium in Dakar.
Paolo Berrettini, Congo head coach, rates Nigeria favourites for the tournament. “On paper, Nigeria are favourites. They are the reigning World U-17 Champions, with most graduates at this tournament and will be difficult to play against,” said the Italy-born coach.
Manu Garba, head coach of Nigeria’s U-20 team, boasted that his boys are in Senegal to lift the trophy.
“We are here to win the trophy. All we ask for is for the prayers and support of all Nigerians. We have prepared very well for the tournament and we are here to do the country proud,” Manu said.
Abdullahi Alfa, Flying Eagles midfielder, is also confident of Nigeria winning the seventh African Youth Championship title in Senegal.
“We are here for the trophy,” declared Alfa. “We are not under pressure and we will take each match as it comes,” he added.
Alfa further said the team is in good shape and ready to take on any opposition that comes their way, no matter what.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has charged the Flying Eagles to win the unprecedented seventh African Youth Championship (AYC) title.
Musa Ahmadu, the secretary general of NFF, said with the level of preparation given the team especially with its brilliant performance in the ‘Super 4‘ tournament, the Flying Eagles could win its seventh AYC title.
According to the NFF scribe, the two-legged friendly with the Black Satellites of Ghana was to prepare the team for the youth championship.
“I think these two games will be a good test for our boys and it will at least show to the coaches what is expected of the team when they go to Senegal in March for the African Under-20 Championship.
“We have seen what the boys have been able to do. The Flying Eagles were able to beat almost all the teams that participated in the ‘Super 4’ and it’s a good indication of the level of preparedness of the team.
Although the stakes are really high, the Nigerian team, twice winners of the FIFA World U-17 Championship, are full of confidence. Eight of the 21 players who are in Senegal were in the team that won the 2013 U-17 World Cup in UAE.
The Super 4 tournament in Abuja and the two international friendly matches against fellow 2015 Africa Youth Championship campaigners, the Satellites of Ghana, had helped to strengthen and boost team.
Having said these, will the Flying Eagles claim its seventh AYC title Senegal? From Garba to the players, the team is radiating more confidence to achieving the task.
Anthony Nlebem
