Head Coach Paul Aigbogun has assured that his Nigeria U20 squad will go for nothing less than outright victory when they confront tournament host Niger Republic in their final group phase at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations on Friday.
Aigbogun took the seven-time African champions through their last training session before the game on Thursday evening at the National Technical Centre, Niamey, and told thenff.com that focus would be on scoring the goals that would earn Nigeria a FIFA U20 World Cup ticket.
The Flying Eagles have to be at their very best against a home team that requires an outright victory as well to be in with a chance of qualification, as they trail Nigeria by two points and are level with South Africa.
Needing the minimum win possible to snatch a World Cup ticket early when they took on South Africa on Tuesday, Aigbogun’s wards made hard work of it, with the match ending 0-0, rather handing the Amajita a chance to remain in the tournament if they overpower Burundi in Maradi.
The Group A is delicately poised and goes to the wire.
With four points, Nigeria tops the pool ahead of Niger and South Africa, with two points each, while Burundi has only one point.
A draw against the Junior Mena would see the Flying Eagles through to the semifinals and a spot at the FIFA U20 World Cup in pocket, and in this case victory for South Africa over Burundi would also see the Amajita through.
Yet, victory for the host nation over Nigeria and victory for South Africa against Burundi would eliminate the seven-time champions.
Also, if Burundi secures a high-margin win over South Africa, and the Junior Mena overpower the Flying Eagles, Niger Republic and Burundi would go through to the last four and to Poland.
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