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Head Coach of Nigeria’s Under 17 National Team, Nduka Ugbade, has declared his team’s readiness for the tournament which kicked off Saturday, in Algeria.
Nigeria will play Zambia, in their opening match on Sunday, at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine.
Ugbade, who captained Nigeria to victory at the first edition of the competition in 1985 (then Under 16), told the trio of Chisom Mbonu-Ezeoke, Ralph Chidozie George and Ojeikere Aikhoje, on SuperSport’s Football programme, Naija Made, aired on DStv that his side will fight to boost their quest for victory.
He said: “We will do everything to bring you happiness.
“Let me just tell you this, good performance. Good performance from all the players, and as a team. First, we are not going to talk about winning the trophy, because you win your last match, you win the trophy. If you are not able to win your last match, you don’t win the trophy.
“Let us win the first match and most probably, be lucky enough to win the second match then be lucky enough to win the 3rd match and get into the quarter-finals. Once we get to the quarter-finals and we win, then we qualify for the World Cup and then start pursuing the final. Once we get to the final, we will start to pursue the trophy.
“I don’t want to count our eggs before they are hatched. The most important thing is win the matches as they come and fight to the bitter end. This is what my thought is.”
Ugbade assured that the team is technically, tactically and psychologically strong.
Apart from Zambia, Nigeria will also play Morocco and South Africa in Group B.
Nigeria has won the tournament in 2001 and 2007, respectively.
