Egypt 2023: Ladan Bosso plays down ‘Group of Death’ for Flying Eagles 

By Wale Mustapha

Head Coach of the Nigeria U20 team, Issa Ladan Bosso has talked down group as a normal which might even look more easy for his boys following the 2023 African U20 Cup of Nations, group stage draw on Friday.

The Nigeria U20 side are pitched in Group A along with host country Egypt, Senegal and Mozambique for the championship coming up next year in Cairo and soccer pundits in Nigeria have tagged the Flying Eagles’ Group A pairings as the most difficult among other groups from the draws.

In contrast to what many would see as a difficult path to secure one of the tickets for the FIFA U20 World Cup for the Nigerian side, the experienced tactician believes his boys will be ready to challenge for continental glory.

“We will take it step by step, we won’t put any country first, we must respect every country in our group and we’ll work towards it,” Bosso told media.

“Our priority is to qualify the team for the World Cup and eventually if we can, win the tournament.”

The former Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists coach further revealed that the team should be seen as Nigerian side and not his team just as he asked for continued support from Nigerians to achieve the set targets.

“This team is not Bosso’s team, it’s Nigeria team. So, I want everyone to pray for the team now that the draws have been made,” he continued.

“Lastly, we’ll do everything possible to improve the tempo of the players so that we can give a worthy representation. I know the caliber of players we have already, and I believe they can do it”, he concluded.

Flying Eagles are the most successful team in Africa winning the U20 championship a record seven times and have reached the final of FIFA U20 final twice.