Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets are determined to put their disappointing opening result behind them when they take on Côte d’Ivoire in a crucial WAFU B U17 Championship clash on Saturday in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
The young Nigerians suffered a 2 1 defeat to Niger Republic in their opening fixture on Wednesday, leaving them under pressure to secure maximum points against the Ivorians if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Head coach Eboboritse Uwejamomere, however, believes his players have the character to respond positively to the setback.
Speaking at a press conference at Stade du 4 Août on Friday, the coach said the team had recovered emotionally from the defeat and was focused on producing a much better performance against Côte d’Ivoire.
“We had a setback in the game against Niger Republic, but we are in great spirit to overcome it as we play Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday,” Uwejamomere said.
The coach acknowledged that the importance of the fixture has created some pressure around the team, but stressed that the players must remain calm and trust their abilities.
“There is just a little bit of pressure because it is a must win game for Nigeria. So, we have to keep the players composed and believing in themselves, knowing that we can get the result we need,” he added.
The technical crew has also spent time reviewing the loss to Niger Republic while studying Côte d’Ivoire ahead of the decisive encounter. According to Uwejamomere, the team has identified areas that could be exploited and is prepared for what promises to be a physically demanding contest.
The Ivorian side will not be an easy opponent. Côte d’Ivoire picked up a point from their opening game against Niger Republic and will also be looking for a result that can improve their chances of progressing from the group.
Uwejamomere acknowledged the quality of the Ivorians, saying Nigeria must match their determination and intensity on the pitch.
“The Ivorians are a very good side. They can fight, but we also have to fight and show them how much we want the victory,” he said.
The Golden Eaglets will need to improve significantly on their showing against Niger Republic, particularly in the areas that allowed their opponents to secure the victory.
The coaching staff is also drawing encouragement from Nigeria’s past experiences in the competition. Uwejamomere reminded his players that the Eaglets have previously recovered from opening defeats and gone on to qualify at the 2018 and 2021 editions of the WAFU B U17 Championship.
The message is clear: losing the first game does not have to end Nigeria’s campaign, but the response in the remaining matches will be crucial.
For the Eaglets, Saturday’s encounter is therefore more than another group game. A victory would provide a major boost to their qualification hopes, while another disappointing result could leave their campaign in serious difficulty.
The players are aware of what is at stake and will be expected to approach the match with greater discipline, concentration and determination.
With Côte d’Ivoire also fighting to advance, the encounter is likely to be closely contested from the opening whistle.
Uwejamomere remains confident that his players can handle the pressure and deliver when it matters most.
The Golden Eaglets now have an opportunity to respond on the pitch, erase the disappointment of their defeat to Niger Republic and breathe new life into their WAFU B U17 Championship campaign.
