U20 AFCON: Ladan Bosso optimistic on qualifying Nigeria for U20 World Cup

Nigeria U20 men’s national team coach, Ladan Bosso is optimistic his side will qualify for the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup.

Bosso’s boys had barely two weeks to prepare for the U20 AFCON zonal qualifiers in May but eventually went out to fight as a team to win the WAFU-B Championship and also booked their place in this year’s U20 AFCON.

While reflecting on the feat, the Flying Eagles gaffer admitted his satisfaction over the incredible sense of ambition.

“We have had enough time to prepare this team,” Bosso told media.

“The team has taken shape and the number one target remains to qualify for the U20 World Cup. They have played these matches against whatever team as if their lives depend on it.They know what is ahead of us.”

Nigeria will take on their Zambian counterparts, who have also qualified for the U20 AFCON, in a double header games in Abuja on Friday, 27 January while the second game will hold on Sunday, 30 January.

Coach Bosso is expected to submit his final 21-man squad roster for the 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations before the team will then embark on a training tour in Morocco from where they will proceed to Egypt for the U20 AFCON which kicks off in Egypt on February 19 and run through March 11.

Meanwhile, the seven-time African champions of the U20 AFCON, will be gunning for their eighth title in Group A along with hosts Egypt, Senegal and Mozambique.

The high scoring Flying Eagles will play their group opening match against Senegal on February 19 at the Cairo International Stadium, Egypt. Three days later (22nd February), they will slug it out with the host, Egypt before playing their last group A match against Mozambique on 25th February.

The top two teams of each group advance to the quarter finals along with the two best third placed teams.

All the four semi-finalists will pick the four tickets to represent Africa at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Indonesia commences on Saturday 20th May to Sunday 11th June, 2023.