Nigeria aim for maximum points against Congo

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will go into the second group game against Congo with a win behind their minds as that will qualify them for the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand later in the year.

The Garba Manu tutored side beat hosts Senegal 3-1 to nick the three points at stake and improve chances of qualifying for the world event.

A brace from Taiwo Awoniyi and a beautiful strike by midfielder Ifeanyi Matthew set the tone for the

victory as Alhassane Sarr grabbed Senegal’s only goal of the game.

Coach Garba Manu has promised a much improved Flying Eagles side when they meet Congo on Wednesday at the Stade Leopold Senghor in Dakar.

Nigeria sit on top of the group with three points from one game ahead of Congo and the Ivory Coast who played out a 1-1 draw in the other match in the group. A win on Wednesday will mean the Flying Eagles have one leg in towards New Zealand 2015

Group A standings after match day 1

Nigeria P1 W1 D0 L0 GF3 GA1 GD+2 POS 1ST

Congo P1 W0 D1 L0 GF 1 GA 1 GD- PTS 1 POS 2nd

Ivory Coast P1 W0 D1 L0 GF 1 GA 1 GD- PTS 1 POS 2nd

Senegal P1 W0 D0 L1 GF 1 GA3 GD-2 PTS 0 POS 4TH

Nigeria will have to watch out for the duo of Silvere Mboussy who scored Congo’s equaliser against Ivory Coast and Georges Bidimbou who are the main men in coach Paulo Berrittini’s team.

Coach Garba Manu was a happy man after his team beat Senegal and has set his sights on qualifying fro the World Cup with the Congolese team in sight.

“The three points is important especially in the opening game. If you win the first game, you have a foot at the World Cup,”Manu told cafonline.com.

“We did not know anything about the Senegal team before the game, but we did a good job.

“Our greatest aim is to qualify for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup and more importantly go there as African champions.”he added.

Manu knows that his wish can come true if Nigeria beats Congo on Wednesday, a game he has promised to treat like a cup final. He has the full complement of the squad to chose from.

Bernard Bulbwa who was substituted in the game against Senegal should be available for selection after shaking of a mild injury.

The game will be played at the Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor in Dakar.

Kick off is 1630GMT (5.30pm, Nigerian time) and it will be live on Supersport 9, channel 209.