U17 AFCON: Ugbade demands more 'prolific' Golden Eaglets in crunch tie vs South Africa

U17 AFCON: Ugbade demands more 'prolific' Golden Eaglets in crunch tie vs South Africa

Izuchukwu Akawor 14:32 - 06.05.2023

Nigeria's Golden Eaglets are chasing a third U17 AFCON title but must overcome South Africa in the final group game to keep hope alive.

It’s crunch time for Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets and their manager Nduka Ugbade as they take on South Africa later today at the U17 AFCON.

Ugbade has asked his players to be more clinical against the South Africans as they look to right the wrongs from the previous game in the decisive final group game in Group B.

Nigeria and their South African counterparts are looking to join Morocco in the knockout round when they take to the pitch later tonight in Constantine, Algeria.

Nigeria's Golden Eaglets suffered  a 1-0 defeat against Morocco
The Golden Eaglets are gunning for a third U-17 AFCON title

Ugbade wants a clinical Eaglets

After the unfortunate defeat to Morocco in the previous game, Nigeria will be looking for a return to winning ways against the Amajimbos.

U17 AFCON: Golden Eaglets begin on a high.
Nigeria's Golden Eaglets, Nduka Ugbade wants to see better finishing against South Africa.

The Golden Eaglets fell to a 1-0 loss to Morocco despite a dominant performance that saw them create several chances to put their North Africans to the sword.

However, the Eaglets failed to make their dominance count, missing all the chances en route and finding themselves in a difficult situation going into the final group game.

Golden Eaglets were wasteful against Morocco.

Ahead of the all-important game against South Africa, coach Ugbade says his side has moved on from the defeat but must up their finishing against South Africa.

“We have put the defeat against Morocco behind our backs and we are fully focused on getting a good result against South Africa,” he told CAF.

U17 AFCON
South Africa defeated Zambia 3-2 to keep their AFCON hopes alive.

“We didn’t deserve to lose against Morocco because we dominated the game but couldn’t convert our chances.”

Ugbade confused with proflicacy

Nigeria created several chances against the Moroccans, with over 12 attempts but was only able to get four on target. Coach Ugbade is at a loss as to why this is the case as the Eaglets were free-scoring before heading to Algeria.

Golden Eaglets failure to replicvate their pre U17 AFCON form has left coach Ugbade confused.

“We want to be more effective, more prolific in front of goal. It is a bit confusing because when we were in Nigeria preparing, we were scoring so many goals but when we came here we are not doing that.”

“Sometimes with these young ones, it is about psychology and we have addressed that.”

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