Saturday’s 1-0 win by the Flying Eagles over their Burundian counterparts in a first leg, second round qualifying series for the 2017 U-20 African Youth Championships has been described as ‘massive and an indication that the Nigerian U-20 side is capable of winning the FIFA World Youth Championship’ by Wales-based Nigerian youngster Etim Asuquo.
Asuquo, who had charged the Emmanuel Amuneke-tutored side to win decisively in Bujumbura to make the second leg a mere formality in Nigeria, expressed satisfaction about the outcome of the game which he said has put the Flying Eagles in good stead to progress to the next round of the series.
The Flying Eagles, defending champions of the African Youth Championship, scored a second half winner against Burundi courtesy of Chukwudi Agor’s 64th strike and are now favourites to reach the final round where they’ll face the U-20 side of Sudan for a place in the final eight teams for the tournament proper in Zambia.
Asuquo said: “Burundi are an unknown quantity but at this level there are no minnows again so one should appreciate what the lads passed through to win. As defending champions, and because of our pedigree, Nigeria is always the team everyone wants to beat. So I’m very happy for the team and for all Nigerians.”
The Murton Rovers winger, who’s chomping at the bit for a piece of action with the team, admitted that coach Amuneke has been justified by his choice of players, the bulk of which comes from the victorious U-17 team which successfully defended their world crown in Chile last year.
The Chemical Engineering undergraduate is however hopeful of getting a chance to show what he can offer to the team.
“I know you don’t change a winning team but you can strengthen it by adding quality players and that’s what I hope the coach will do by giving other players the opportunity to show what they’re capable of doing. I’m convinced that I have so much to offer this team,” the 18-year old winger said.
Winner of the two-legged fixture will set up a third round match-up with Sudan in the final qualifying round to the 2017 AYC billed to be hosted by Zambia 2017.
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