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Nigeria U20 and their Tunisian counterparts will console themselves with the battle for third place when they lock horns for the final time later today in the U20 AFCON.
Nigerian defender Abel Ogwuche says the Nigeria U20 team, Flying Eagles, are ready and eager to get on the pitch again in the U20 AFCON following the disappointment in the semifinal.
Ogwuche said this in an exclusive chat with Pulse Sports Nigeria ahead of their final game in the competition on Friday.
The Flying Eagles, who have been tasked by their coach Ladan Bosso to bring home a medal, take on Tunisia U20 later on today in the U20 AFCON third-place playoff slated for Cairo.
Both nations came short of a place in the final after suffering defeats to the Gambia U20 and Senegal U20 teams respectively in the last four. Nigeria lost 1-0 to Gambia while Tunisia suffered a hammering from Senegal following a 3-0 defeat.
Nigeria raring to make fans happy
Nigeria U20 saw her quest for an eighth U20 AFCON title come to an end following a painful and narrow defeat to fellow West African nation, the Gambia, in the last four.
How missed chances denied Nigeria U20 in the U20 AFCON semifinal against Gambia.
The Flying Eagles dominated the Young Scorpions but failed to make it count, missing a crucial penalty in the second half as the Scorpions held on for the win to book a date with Senegal in the final.
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With their AFCON title dream done and dusted, Ogwuche spoke to Pulse Sports Nigeria as the Flying Eagles prepare for their last outing in the 2023 U20 AFCON.
According to the talented centre-back, who has been one of the bright spots for the team in the competition, the lads are anxious to take to the pitch against Tunisia to make Nigerians happy.
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"The match tomorrow (today) is going to be tough because the Tunisians are also coming out to take soemthing," Ogwuche told Pulse Sports Nigeria.
"But definitely, we are coming to take it home. So, we are coming out 100% (vs Tunisia) to play the game."
Nigeria U20 have had a positive outing
Speaking further on the team's performance in the U20 AFCON, Ogwuche noted that he believes despite the disappointment against the Gambia, the Flying Eagles have had a positive outing in Egypt.
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"We lost the first game against Senegal but it was also a good fight," he added. "Unfortunately, luck wasn't on our side."
"The performance of the team was good (in subsequent matches), we kept fighitng in each game to take the maximum points from the group. (And) fortunately, we qualified from the group (stage) and for the World Cup."
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"So, i must say that we have (had a very positive oouting (at the U20 AFCON)."
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