No Hiding Place For Sudan – Says Nigeria’s U-23 Assistant Coach, Midfielder

Nigeria’s U-23 team assistant head coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu has promised Nigerians that the team would conquer their Sudanese counterpart in the second leg of the Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifier.

The team lost the first leg that was played in Omdurman 1-0 last week and will host the return leg on Tuesday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State.

Illechukwu, who berated the players’ profligacy in front of goal in Omdurman, assured Nigerians that no chances would be wasted because the team must progress to the next round.

He stated that Nigeria have the capability to overturn the one-goal deficit regardless of Sudan’s time-wasting tactics that they are set to deploy on matchday.

“We are going to beat Sudan, though, it’s not going to be an easy game but we will beat them. “In our last game, our players threw away a lot of chances and we are not happy. We are not happy.”

Meanwhile, Dream Team midfielder, Kelechi Nwakali says the team will do everything possible to ensure they qualify for the 2020 Olympic games.

Having missed the first-leg qualifier against Sudan in Omdurman last week, Nwakali rejoined the team at the weekend and revealed that the players are confident of victory against Sudan on Tuesday in Asaba.

“We have to work hard because we lost the first game it doesn’t mean we can’t lose tomorrow. We just have to respect the opponent, but also not be afraid of them, but to take the game to them.

“Every minute any opportunity counts in a game like this magnitude; from the blast of the whistle, but I want to assure Nigerians that, we will qualify for the Olympic come tomorrow,” Nwakali said.