Pretoria, South Africa – (African Boulevard News) – The Golden Eaglets, Nigeria’s U-17 national team, progressed to the quarter-finals of the 2023 under-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournament after defeating South Africa in the group stage. The head coach of the Golden Eaglets, Nduka Ugbade, has attributed the team’s impressive performance to careful planning, teamwork, and a never-give-up attitude.
Ugbade, who was a member of Nigeria’s 1985 U-17 World Cup-winning team, said that defeating South Africa was a massive boost for his team’s morale. In an interview with African Boulevard News, Ugbade said, “South Africa is a tough team to beat, but we knew we had to give our best to secure victory. The team was well-prepared, and every player understood their role in the game. Our game plan worked, and we executed it perfectly.”
The Golden Eaglets boss noted that his team was not complacent and maintained focus throughout the game. He highlighted the impact of his team’s collective effort, saying, “it was a team effort. Every player gave their best, and that was what made the game different.”
Ugbade also praised South Africa’s team, calling them a quality side and admitting that his team had to respect them. “We had respect for South Africa because they have good players and a solid team structure. We knew we had to be disciplined and focused to beat them,” he said.
The game saw the Golden Eaglets take an early lead in the 16th minute, with a goal from promising forward, Aliyu Garba. The South Africans equalized in the 35th minute, but the Nigerians regained the lead before half-time through Ibrahim Ali.
The second half was a tense affair, with both teams creating several scoring opportunities. However, the Golden Eaglets held on and secured a vital win that saw them progress to the quarter-finals.
Ugbade believes that his team’s success in the tournament so far can be attributed to their commitment and hard work. He said, “We have a great group of players who are determined to achieve success. They are disciplined and focused and understand the importance of team spirit.”
The Golden Eaglets will face Senegal in the quarter-finals, and Ugbade is confident that his team can go all the way. “We are taking each game as it comes, but we believe we can win the tournament. We have a strong team, and we are ready to take on any opponent,” he said.
In summary, the Golden Eaglets’ victory over South Africa was a significant milestone in their quest for a seventh U-17 AFCON title. Ugbade’s team displayed a strong work ethic, tactical discipline, and teamwork to secure a vital win. With the quarter-finals beckoning, the Golden Eaglets will be hoping to maintain their impressive form and go all the way in the tournament.
