By Ikenna Agu
Former Super Eagles Skipper, Nwankwo Kanu, and the Cross River State Commissioner for Sports, Patrick Ugbe, have expressed confidence that the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria will scale the Malian hurdle to qualify Nigeria for the African Under-17 Championship for the first time since 2007.
The Golden Eaglets will take a 2-0 goal advantage to Bamako in two weeks time, against a supposedly big and obviously older opposition.
Kanu and Ugbe spoke to Daily Times in separate exclusives after the Sunday match in Uyo.
The former Nigerian international star said he is confident the Nigerian youngsters will not yield to the Junior Eagles of Mali.
?If we are talking about size, Mali should have ordinarily defeated the Golden Eaglets, but winning matches is not about how big you are,? Kanu said concerning last Sunday’s encounter in which the Eaglets defeated the Malians.
?Despite the size of the Malians, the Golden Eaglets were still able to play their usual passing game and were just unlucky to have scored just two goals.?
Kanu, a star of the 1993 Golden Eaglets that emerged champions at Japan ?93, said the current Under-17 Team is blessed with players who are match winners any day.
“Alhassan Ibrahim, the Number 8, for instance, can wreck the Malians and he was just unlucky the last time because he should have scored more than a goal,? Kanu emphasised.
On his part, Patrick Ugbe also tipped the Golden Eaglets to eventually qualify for the 2013 African Cadet Championship to be hosted in Morocco.
?This is about the best team that Nigeria is building at present. My prayer is that they qualify for the African Junior Championship because it would be such a big disappointment if they don?t. They are a very good side,? he said.
According to the Sports Commissioner, the Golden Eaglets have demonstrated over time that they can hold their own against any team, consequently and therefore can upset the Malians at home if they play collectively as a team.
?I believe they would pull through in Bamako. On Sunday, they played against men and if they could still beat the Malians 2-0, I think they are capable of doing same in Bamako. At least the Malians need to score three goals and I don?t think this Golden Eaglets can play a match without scoring a goal. They should not be deterred by the size of the Malians; it is their ability that matters. As long as they are disciplined and play as a team, they cannot be stopped by the Malians even in Bamako,? Ugbe concluded.
