‘Bring on England!’
Ahmed Musa
Sundowns advance | Pirates too
07 August 2011
Both players and officials of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have predicted England will fall to them in the second round of the U20 World Cup.
The Flying Eagles laboured to a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia to finish winners of Group D with the maximum nine points from three matches Saturday night at the Estadio Monumental Hernan Ramirez Villegas in Pereira, Colombia.
The winner of the Nigeria vs England match-up will battle in the quarterfinal the winner of the second round fixture involving Ecuador and France.
“Our focus is now on the England game on Wednesday. As much as we respect all the teams left in this tournament, we hope to win to qualify for the quarterfinal,” said coach John Obuh after a match watched by over 14,000 spectators.
England are in Colombia without several of their top stars from the English Premier League after their clubs refused to release them for the competition.
Despite these absentees like Jack Wilshire of Arsenal, England have held their own with three scoreless draws in a strong group that also had Mexico and Argentina.
Both Ahmed Musa and Olanrewaju Kayode were on target for Nigeria against the Saudis to take their personal tallies at Colombia 2011 to three goals each.
“We have a great team and we remain on track to becoming world champions after we beat the best in Africa,” said Musa.
Asec Mimosas striker Kayode dusted himself from a horrific second–half tackle that saw him pass out for a few terrifying seconds to score his third goal of the U20 World Cup.
“This is a very important tournament for my career because we will win the World Cup,” said the tireless forward.
“I’m very focussed at this competition after I did not do as well as believe I could do at the U17 World Cup two years ago. This time I’m ready.
“After this World Cup, I believe I will be playing in Europe, where I would prefer to play in either England or France.”
Obuh praised Kayode for brining urgency and purpose to the Junior Eagles strike force.
“We were slow tactically and the players were indifferent today, but the changes we made brought life to the attack and that helped us to win the game.”
Saudi coach, Khalid Alkoroni, lamented his team’s poor finishing.
“We had a great chance late in the first half, but we could not convert it. Nigeria got theirs almost immediately and they took it,” said Alkoroni, whose players did not observe the Ramadan fasting as it was “bought” for them by their football federation.
Both players and officials of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have predicted England will fall to them in the second round of the U20 World Cup.
The Flying Eagles laboured to a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia to finish winners of Group D with the maximum nine points from three matches Saturday night at the Estadio Monumental Hernan Ramirez Villegas in Pereira, Colombia.
The winner of the Nigeria vs England match-up will battle in the quarterfinal the winner of the second round fixture involving Ecuador and France.
“Our focus is now on the England game on Wednesday. As much as we respect all the teams left in this tournament, we hope to win to qualify for the quarterfinal,” said coach John Obuh after a match watched by over 14,000 spectators.
England are in Colombia without several of their top stars from the English Premier League after their clubs refused to release them for the competition.
Despite these absentees like Jack Wilshire of Arsenal, England have held their own with three scoreless draws in a strong group that also had Mexico and Argentina.
Both Ahmed Musa and Olanrewaju Kayode were on target for Nigeria against the Saudis to take their personal tallies at Colombia 2011 to three goals each.
“We have a great team and we remain on track to becoming world champions after we beat the best in Africa,” said Musa.
Asec Mimosas striker Kayode dusted himself from a horrific second–half tackle that saw him pass out for a few terrifying seconds to score his third goal of the U20 World Cup.
“This is a very important tournament for my career because we will win the World Cup,” said the tireless forward.
“I’m very focussed at this competition after I did not do as well as believe I could do at the U17 World Cup two years ago. This time I’m ready.
“After this World Cup, I believe I will be playing in Europe, where I would prefer to play in either England or France.”
Obuh praised Kayode for brining urgency and purpose to the Junior Eagles strike force.
“We were slow tactically and the players were indifferent today, but the changes we made brought life to the attack and that helped us to win the game.”
Saudi coach, Khalid Alkoroni, lamented his team’s poor finishing.
“We had a great chance late in the first half, but we could not convert it. Nigeria got theirs almost immediately and they took it,” said Alkoroni, whose players did not observe the Ramadan fasting as it was “bought” for them by their football federation.
Go nigeria good team musa good player talent afrika
yep..eagles u are on top and forever
This is a great team. Team spirit and selfless dedication on d pitch of play will make u guys unbeatable in this tournament. With all yr tactical skills plus God, u are unstoppable. Shine on guys.
Congrtulations for ur well done job flying eagles, keep on, God will win the battle for us.
Congrtulations for ur well done job flying eagles, keep on, God will win the battle for us.
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