Coach of Nigeria’s U-20 male team, the Flying Eagles, Ladan Bosso, says his boys will fight hosts, Argentina, from the beginning till the end of today’s first knockout round at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Argentina is considered the favourite to triumph in the match, having won the FIFA U-20 World Cup more than any other country. The South Americans, led by Javier Mascherano, finished top of Group A, while the Flying Eagles were third in Group D after losing 0-2 to Brazil in their final group match.
For Bosso, however, the encounter is anybody’s game.
“Argentina might be tough, but we equally have the talents that can win and progress to the quarterfinal,” Bosso told thenff.com.
“We have to fight for the trophy. I think it is still open. Everybody can be there, and I believe we have the capacity to be there,” he said.
Bosso, who acknowledged that a knockout game can go anywhere, added: “In the knockout stage, there is an approach. We can employ it and we hope we will have our plans executed accordingly.”
Today’s game against Argentina will kick off at 10.00 p.m. Nigerian time.
The young Albiceleste have been outstanding at the tournament, scoring a total of 10 goals and recording maximum points to top their group, after thrashing New Zealand 5-0 in their final fixture. They had earlier defeated Uzbekistan 2-1 and Guatemala 3-0.
Argentina coach, Mascherano, says his team will give the Flying Eagles the same treatment they gave to New Zealand, Uzbekistan and Guatemala.
“We know the opponents now and we will calmly prepare for Wednesday’s match. It is no retreat, no surrender,” Mascherano told Mundo Albiceleste.
