Egypt 2025: ‘Focused’ Flying Eagles target FIFA World Cup at Senegal’s expense
..Sanusi charges boys to show character of a champion team’
Photo : Sanusi with the Flying Eagles after their training session in Ismailia on Saturday.
It is a date with another set of Lion Cubs on Monday afternoon and Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has assured that Nigeria’s U-20 boys are focused and determined to achieve a win that will guarantee them a place at this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup finals.
Unbeaten in their group B campaign, the Flying Eagles however finished second behind another set of Lion Cubs from Morocco, and had to proceed to Ismailia for their game against title-holders Senegal.
Senegal also finished second in their group C, which also included Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana and Central African Republic.
Arierhi was venerated as the man to determine the length of Nigeria’s stay in Egypt, after his three goals at the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Lome and a pre-tournament strike against the Young Pharaohs of Egypt.
But the equalizer that brought parity at the first instance against Kenya has been the only time he attained the scoresheet in three games.
Captain Bameyi, who scored his first competitive goal for the team from the spot against the Rising Stars, will be expected to keep things tight at the back with Odinaka Okoro, Chigozie Ihejiofor and Adamu Maigari also providing cover for goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt.
Zubairu must decide whether to start Divine Oliseh in midfield, alongside Clinton Jephta and Israel Ayuma, or retain Simon Cletus, while Arierhi, Auwal Ibrahim (whose lone goal earned the crucial three points against Tunisia), Ezekiel Kpangu, Precious Benjamin and Mendos Rickson are also available for spaces at the fore.
