Former U20 star Akeem Ogunlade hails Flying Eagles after victory over Egypt

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Former Nigeria U20 star Akeem Ogunlade has heaped praise on the Flying Eagles following a 1-0 win over hosts Egypt at 2023 U-20 African Cup of Nations on Wednesday.

A71st minute  header from Solomon Agbalaka handed Nigeria the win over the junior Pharoahs to move the two-time World Cup finalist to second position in Group A at the Cairo International Stadium.

The win was Nigeria’s first three points at the ongoing U-20 AFCON and Ogunlade is confident the team can make it out of the group with a positive result in its last group game against Mozambique.

“I will say kudos to the team. At least we are having victory because I was part of the people that said if we lose to Egypt, we are out of the tournament. It was a good result defeating Egypt,” Ogunlade told Brila FM.

“Egypt is on one point. Our last game for sure we must go for victory. They should make sure they win but the paramount thing is to make up their mind that they will win.

“Not winning the game is dangerous because we don’t know what is going to happen in the other game. Definitely, I know the team will qualify.”

Senegal, who hammered Mozambique 3-0 in the earlier match, lead Group A with six points and have virtually sealed a quarter-final place.

Nigeria stay in second place and will be expected to defeat one-pointer Mozambique when both teams clash at the same venue on Saturday.

Egypt has the daunting prospect of battling Senegal, with defeat sure to mean early elimination for the host nation.