Flying Eagles assistant coach, Nduka Ugbade, has admitted that the Golden Eaglets’ poor showing at the CAF U-17 Championship is putting pressure on the U-20 team to do well at the Africa Youth Championship in Senegal.
The Golden Eaglets finished in fourth position to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup but as reigning world champions, not winning the trophy in Niger Republic fell short of expectations.
Now Ugbade said this is putting a little strain on the Manu Garba-tutored Flying Eagles as they begin their AYC campaign on Sunday against host Senegal.
“I would say yes, but just little pressure,” he told sl10.ng.
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“We are very aware of how much our team is followed and loved by Nigerians and how much they expect from us, and forming the squad for the 2018 World Cup, this can no longer be a joke when you continue to hear this every day.
“But we are not concerned about this for now, our interest is taking one step at a time and one game at a time and finally qualify for the World Cup and if possible win the AYC and then try to win the World Cup.”
After playing Senegal in the opening match of the championship, the Flying Eagles will meet Congo on March 11 and Cote d’Ivoire on March 14.
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The four semi-finalists at the AYC will represent Africa at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup to be staged in New Zealand from May.
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