Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s semifinal clash against the Amajimbos of South Africa, Eaglets Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, says that it will be a keen contest.
We are okay and first, we are grateful to God that we are privileged to be in the semifinal.
If you remember we were to play them in a friendly match in Kaduna but unfortunately, it did
not take place. Now we are going to play them in the semifinal and we are optimistic.
We have worked very hard to reach this stage and we just have to remain focused; in the field of play, we have to do our job. Let us see how it goes but our dream is to win the semifinal (against South Africa) and proceed to the final.
Like I keep saying, only God knows because our journey is not in any man’s hand but in the hands of the Lord. As human beings, we only have to do our job and leave the rest to God.
We are not trying to keep any record but what we would be trying to do is win our game. But we should not forget that the South Africans are good to be among the last four teams at this competition and would be representing the African continent at the World Cup (in Chile).
They have about four or five players that are very good in that team; apart from the striker (Loph Willy Gohore), that can protect the ball very well; their strength is in the midfield with the captain( Nelson Malueke);
No.5 ( Athenkosi Dlala) who is very defensive but generally, they like to distribute the ball in the midfield. Against Zambia, we identified some players and our boys were able to carry out our instructions. Against South Africa we would plan and play as a team.
Road to the semi-finals
Nigeria
Niger 0 Nigeria 2 (Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Nwakali)
Nigeria 1 Guinea 1 (Kelechi Nwakali)
Zambia 1 Nigeria 3 (Victor Osimhen-2, Kelechi Nwakali)
South Africa:
Ivory Coast 2 South Africa 2 (Sibongakonke Mbatha, Eric Mayo)
Mali 2 South Africa 2 (Katlego Mohamme ,Luvuyo Mkatshana)
South Africa 3 (Maluleke-2,Fokem-own goal) Cameroun 1
Form coming into the game
Nigeria: W D W
South Africa: D D W
Group standings after group stage
Nigeria: P 3 W 2 D 1 L 0 GF 6 GA 2 GD +4 PTS 7 POS 1
South Africa: P3 W 1 D 2 L 0 GF 7 GA 5 GD +2 PT 5 POS 2
Teams:
Nigeria:
Akpan Udoh, Abbas Usman, Saddam Awal, Abdullahi Suleiman, Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Nwakali, Uko Aniete, Ebere Osinachi, Ayodeji Bamidele, Ebere Osinachi, Zakari Halilu, Chukwueze Samuel, Amos Benjamin, Lazarus John, Chibueze Kanu, Kingsley Michael,Orji Okonkwo, Christian Charles, Maxwell Paul, Nazifi Yahaya, Suleiman Mohammed, Nwokoecha Chukwuebuka.
South Africa
Mondli Mpoto, Katlego Mohamme, Atehnkosi Dlala, Notha Ncogbo, Sibongakonke Mbatha, Luvuyo Mkatshana, Nelson Maluleke, Wiseman Meyiwa, Thendo Mukumela, Eric Mayo, Reeve Fosler, Sanele Tshabalala, Riyaaz Ismael, Vuyo Mantje, Gadinkane Modise, Liiam Jordan, Keanu Cupido, Edwin Sekhwama, James Monyame, Mxolisis Skei.
The 11th Caf Africa Junior Championship will reach the knock out stage on Wednesday when Nigeria's Golden Eaglets face the Amajimbo of South Africa in the first semifinal at the Stade Seyni Kountche in Niamey.
Nigeria, are the defending champions at world level and are favourites ahead of the clash, which will be the first between the two sides at this level in a a major tournament.
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