The Flying Eagles of Nigeria lost their first game of the AFCON, but they have picked up since then
Nigeria's Under-20 team coach Ladan Bosso believes his team can replicate Argentina's performance at the 2022 World Cup and go on to win the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The Flying Eagles lost 1-0 to Senegal in their opening fixture of the 2023 AFCON. However, they have since picked up the pace. They won their remaining group-stage games against Egypt and Mozambique.
Then, they defeated Uganda in the quarterfinals on Thursday to seal a semifinal spot and claim one of the four tickets to the 2023 U-20 World Cup in Indonesia.
Flying Eagles coach Bosso was in high spirits after the game. He believes that his team can go on to claim an eighth AFCON title, despite their poor start.
Nigeria's coach juxtaposed their case with Argentina's run-up to their World Cup triumph in Qatar last December.
“After losing to Senegal in the first match. I said that I believe that my boys can bounce back and probably win the trophy,” Bosso told Pulse Sports.
“I gave a reference point with the World Cup in Qatar. Argentina won the World Cup, but they lost their first match against Saudi Arabia. Then they sat down and worked on their mistakes, and at the end of the day, they won the trophy.
“That is what I'm foreseeing with the Nigerian team.” he added
The Flying Eagles have a favourable draw ahead. They will play either Gambia or South Sudan in the semifinals of the AFCON.
However, Senegal looks like the team to beat, as they have been the most impressive side in Egypt.
