Football enthusiasts urge Eaglets to up goal-scoring ability against South Africa

By Nicholas Obisike

Football enthusiasts in Enugu on Thursday urged the Golden Eaglets’ technical crew to work on the team goal scoring ability before the match against South Africa.

Some of those who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu, said the team needed to be prolific in front of goal to stand a chance of next round.

NAN reports that Nigeria U-17 lost their second match of the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Algeria 0-1 to Morocco.

The team will on Sunday battle South Africa in the last match of their group stage to determine who goes into the quarterfinals of the competition.

Gilbert Edeh, a grassroots coach in Enugu, said the players woke up late into the game after conceding early goal which was not acceptable.

“How can you relax and concieve early goal when you know there are much at stake in the match and now the team have to fight in their next match.

“When you look at the match, the players are not serious at the begining, they need to play like a team and with confidence in the next match.

” With determination, motivation and seriousness, I believe that Nigeria will win South Africa and the team needs to avoid early goal to survive the match,” he said.

Pius Chidera, a grassroots player in Enugu, also said the players played well but lacked in the area of scoring and should not have given Morocco room to score early.

“Nigeria played well against Morocco and I must commend them because it can happen to any team and losing 0-1 to Morocco was not all that bad.

“The players still have a match against South Africa to redeem themselves so the need to be focused, motivated and move on from the defeat.

“The deed has been done, so the players should not allow the result to weigh them down as the need to up their scoring ability in the tournament.

“We all know that the next match is a must win and the coach should sound it clear in the boys ear so that the players will channel their energy and tactics towards the match,” he said.

Ikechukwu Okoronkwo, Nigeria former boxer, hailed the team for their doggedness but expressed dismay that the Moroccan team were technically sound than the boys.

He also called on the technical team to address the players problem of non prolific scoring and lack of accuracy in front of goal before the next match.

“Nduka Ugbade is a good coach and I believe he will ring changes and work on the players’ lapses to ensure the team reach the next round.

“II believe this defeat against Morocco will be a wake up call and that can propel the team to the final and properly win the competition,” Okoronkwo said.

(NAN)