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Nigeria’s U-20 team will have their hands full when they take on the Gambia for the first time in 16 years.
Flying Eagles coach Ladan Bosso has provided insight into how his team will approach the semifinal of the U-20 AFCON against the Gambia.
Bosso spoke exclusively to Pulse Sports Nigeria in Egypt as his Flying Eagles prepared for the important AFCON battle.
The Nigerians will go head-to-head with their counterparts from the Gambia, Young Scorpions, on Monday in the last four of the U-20 AFCON in Egypt.
Both sides will take to the pitch in Cairo, the Egypt captain, later this evening in the second semifinals to determine who makes it to the final of the U-20 AFCON.
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Flying Eagles to play ugly
In what is expected to be the first game between the two nations in 16 years, the stakes are high with both sides having secured tickets to the World Cup Indonesia.
Nigeria defeated Uganda by a narrow 1-0 to book the date against the Gambia, who went on a rampage to dispatch South Sudan 5-0 in their quarterfinal encounter.
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Following the performance of the Young Scorpions, the Nigerian coach has hinted that his Flying Eagles could go into the game with just one thing on their minds, to win and by any means.
Speaking to Pulse Sports on their opponents, Gambia, Bosso noted that the team is ready to face any side but may have to play ugly to win.
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“On Gambia, for a competition like this, it is a normal thing that if you want to win the trophy you should prepare to beat the best because anybody that has qualified for this level means they have something to offer,” Bosso said.
“The Gambia, no doubt about it, are a compact team just as our team, too,” he added.
“But sometimes (it is all about) tactics. You can play ugly and win, we played better than Senegal in our first match but they still won.”
“So, sometimes playing ugly is a tactic, all you need is to dispossess your opponent of the ball, score and come defend it.”
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