Score or Pay Dearly! Golden Eaglets Face South Africa in A Do Or Die Game Today [U17 AFCON Commentary]

 

Coach Nduka Ugbade’s side were heartbroken following a 0-1 loss to Morocco in their second Group B game on Wednesday. In a game the Nigerian cadets dominated  in every aspect but for putting the ball in the net.

The encounter saw the Eaglets miss a lot of chances, and an early own goal sealed their fate for the rest of the game. It would have been such a sad story if that game was a knock out stage. And many pundits say, shooting wide may be the greatest undoing of such a promising team from Nigeria.

I guess,Ugbade is aware of this fact following his post match statement:

“We controlled the game but tactically Morocco controlled the outcome,” the coach said. “We made some few mistakes as well but we created so many chances, and the only problem is that we couldn’t score.”

"It is clear, what Eaglets need is a goal poacher and if Abdulahi Abubakar would not score, despite being such a good player, Coach Ugbade should look for an alternative and change the tactics of the game.

Watching the five goals thriller in the match between South African and Zambia, you find out the Amajimbos has shown that are a free scoring side and could make Eaglets pay dearly for wasting goalscoring opportunities.

While a draw would be enough for the West Africans to hoist their flag in the next round of games, the Nigerian team should show how ruthless they can be as a best way to avoid second defeat.

Nigeria vs South Africa

Saturday, May 5, 2023

20:00 GMT+ WA (8pm Nigerian time)