Former Super Eagles defender and ex-international, Mobi Oparaku has charged the Flying Eagles of Nigeria to win their first match of the tournament today against Qatar at the ongoing FIFA U 20 world cup in Poland.
Nigeria are housed alongside today’s opponents, Qatar, The USA, and Ukraine.
Coach Paul Aigbogun and his assistants have somewhat calibrated a new ensemble, leaving out half of the squad members from the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in the Niger Republic in February, where the team earned the ticket to Poland, and infusing a number of exciting talent in midfield and attacking realms.
Speaking ahead of this evening’s fixture, Mobi hailed the team’s preparation for the tournament, adding that it has helped them improve their style of play as well as given them more experience.
“We don’t expect anything less than winning, it’s their first game and they prepared very good”.
“The preparation so far, even when they went to Germany, it has been a good one and they have gotten more experience playing a lot of matches which has helped to upgrade and improve their style of play”.
“We Nigerians do not expect anything less than winning”.
While the choice for the number one shirt is between Detan Ogundare and Olawale Oremade (who was a custodian in Niger), Valentine Ozornwafor and Igoh Ogbu are likely to keep their spots in central defense. Captain Ikouwem Utin would be at left back while Jamil Muhammad could be at right back.
In the midfield, much attention will be on the England –based duo Nnamdi Ofoborh and Ayotomiwa Dele-Bashiru, as well as AC Perugia of Italy’s former junior international Kingsley Michael. In this sector also are home-based professionals Effiom Maxwell and Aniekeme Okon, who are rapid raiders on their day.
Dele-Bashiru, of England, champions Manchester City has already been tipped by world football –ruling body, FIFA, as one of the players from whom much is expected in Poland.
At the fore, Nigeria has a cosmopolitan flavour with England –based Chinonso Emeka, Norway –based Jerome Adams, Czech Republic-based Tijani Muhammed, Sweden –based Henry Offia and home-based Success Makanjuola vying for available spots.
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