Maikaba demands defensive improvement as Flying Eagles face Ivory Coast in WAFU B U20 semi-final

Abdu Maikaba says Nigeria’s Flying Eagles must eliminate their defensive mistakes when they face hosts Ivory Coast in Wednesday’s WAFU B U20 Tournament semi-final.

Nigeria reached the last four of the competition, but their defensive performances have become a concern after they conceded four goals in two matches. They have kept only one clean sheet during the tournament.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Flying Eagles head coach Maikaba acknowledged that his side was unhappy with the way they had allowed opponents to score similar goals in their previous match.

He said improving the team’s defensive approach would be a priority against Ivory Coast.

“We need to improve on our defensive approach to the game, most especially in our last game we conceded two goals from similar situations, and we are not happy about that,” Maikaba told reporters at the pre-match press conference.

The coach said the players had already been instructed on how to defend against those situations, but lapses in concentration during matches had resulted in mistakes that could prove costly.

“We have taught the players on how to defend such balls. Sometimes during the course of the game they do forget and make little mistakes which will cost us the game,” he added.

Maikaba said Nigeria would use the time before the semi-final to correct the problems, while insisting that his players remain focused from the opening stages until the final whistle.

“We will make sure that we address them very well and make sure they concentrate all through the game, and not make such silly mistakes in the semifinal stage,” he stated.

The Flying Eagles will therefore enter the semi-final needing a more disciplined defensive display if they are to overcome Ivory Coast and reach the final of the WAFU B U20 Tournament.

Their hosts represent the next test for Maikaba’s team, which must avoid repeating the errors that have contributed to the four goals conceded in the group-stage matches.

Nigeria’s progress to the semi-finals has kept their hopes of winning the competition alive, but Maikaba’s comments underline the importance of defensive concentration in the decisive fixture.

The Flying Eagles will aim to respond to those concerns on Wednesday by limiting the mistakes that have affected their previous performances and producing the level of organisation required to secure a place in the final.