1 December 2008
Flying Eagles Coach, Ladan Bosso, has said that no team can be underrated in Nigeria's group for next year's African Youth Championship (AYC), expected to hold in Rwanda. The competition runs from January 18 to February 1.
Reacting to the AYC draws made at the weekend, which placed Nigeria against South Africa, Egypt and Cote d'Ivoire, Bosso admitted that Nigeria must work hard if they hoped to go beyond the group stage.
"I think from statistics, there is no team in Africa that is a push over when it comes to making it to the World Cup, especially in competitions that serve as qualifiers; so we should not see the group as simple.
"Rather, we must work hard to advance from the group. We are indeed on course for the championship and if the present players executing the on-going WAFU Cup gave a good account of themselves, I think I would not need more foreign-based players to beef up the team."
Group A has hosts, Rwanda, Ghana and Mali, alongside Cameroon.
The three top teams from the championship will represent the continent flag at the World Youth Championship.
Bosso said the ongoing WAFU competition in Delta State, would afford the home-based players the chance to prove they have what it takes to be in the team to Rwanda.
"One good thing about this championship is that we have one thing to learn from it. Not only will it aid us to be ready for the task ahead in Rwanda, but it will go a long way to help the players and the technical crew's confidence," he said.
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