Ugbade: FIFA U17 World Cup ticket a huge motivation for Golden Eaglets

Nduka Ugbade, head coach of the Golden Eaglets, the Nigerian U17 team says his boys will be hugely motivated for their U17 Africa Cup of Nations quarter final tie against Burkina Faso in Algiers on Thursday, as victory earns them a ticket to the FIFA World Cup.

Ugbade also says the game against the young Burkinables will be an interesting one as it is a replay of the final game of the WAFU B U17 tournament in Ghana, where Nigeria triumphed 2 -1

“The game is going to be very interesting. At the WAFU B tournament, we had Togo, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Niger and Burkina Faso. We did well to beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in the final.

‘The only difference is that, this is AFCON, but surely is going to be an interesting game and very important game because victory will guarantee qualification for the FIFA World Cup.’

The Golden Eaglets have won the World Cup five times and qualified for 12, and are looking to go back to the global showpiece.

Ugbade says his message to the boys is that these competitions are usually intense.

‘I told them we must have the will and play the match as it should, and stressed that winning makes us qualify for the World Cup.’