Leadership (Abuja)
1 October 2008
Rabiu Ibrahim believes the Flying Eagles are already through to the Africa Youth Championships in Rwanda and that the resolve in the camp of the u-20 side is to win the ultimate prize at the tournament.
The Flying Eagles beat Sudan 5-0 last Saturday and will need to avoid a heavy defeat in two weeks when they play the return leg.
But Ibrahim enthused that the Sudanese cannot stop Nigeria from qualifying for the Championship.
"The Sudanese are a very good side but I don't think they can stop us from qualifying for the African championship. What we have to do now is to go and work on our lapses in the training and then prepare for the next game away to Sudan.
"I think we are in the driver's seat now and our chances are very bright for Rwanda. We have agreed to play the second leg like a cup Final.
"That is why we are not thinking that we have won the first leg very well. So we will go to Sudan and play as if our lives depend on the match. We did it when we were in the U-17 national team and I am hopeful and confident that we will also do it this time around," the Sporting SAD midfield dynamo told KickOffNigeria.com.
Continuing he said "As for me I cannot afford to let Nigerians and my fans, who love me, down. I was very touched with their cheers when I was introduced in the second half of the game when we were leading 2-0. That kind of support meant a lot to me and I am not ready to lose that. So I will always try to play well whenever my coach fields me.
"I am also happy that I played well in the match despite the fact that I did not score. But I was able to help the team and I assisted in scoring those goals.
"You won't believe that I played that match fasting, likewise some of my colleagues who are Muslims. But we still played like those that are not fasting. That shows our level of fitness, hunger, determination and zeal to achieve a good result. I thank Almighty Allah for that sweet victory against Sudan," Ibrahim concluded.
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