The Flying Eagles of Nigeria started their campaign in the men’s football event at the 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana, with a shocking 2-1 defeat to their less-fancied Ugandan counterparts.
Ladan Bosso’s tutored side went behind in the 34th minute through Arafat Usama but fought back swiftly to restore parity, with Sadiq Isiyaka’s composed finish in the 37th minute.
On resumption of the second half, the Nigerian cadet team took their foot of the gas, with Ugandans piling pressure on the Flying Eagles defence, with Ivan Irinimbabazi eventually getting the winning goal in the 81st minute.
Flying Eagles coach Ladan Bosso, after the match, said the team will correct the mistakes noticed ahead of their next match.
“We would have a positive meeting with the players; it is important that they express themselves,” Bosso explained.
Logically, we would have liked to have started the tournament in another way, but the players are clear that there are two games ahead that could make such a difference.
“Anyone has the possibility of being a starter. I am optimistic that the players know what they stand to achieve and the task ahead.
“We talked about football with the group, about how we can improve the mistakes we made and thus move on with a positive mentality.
“We know what we have to do in the upcoming games, which is to go out and look for victory; we are prepared for that.
“For every player, being on the national team is a dream. We did not start the way we wanted, but we will continue fighting for that dream that we all have.” Bosso said.
Nigeria will next lock horns with Senegal on Monday at the same venue to rekindle their hopes of qualifying from the group.
Nigeria finished as runners-up (Silver) in the men’s football event at the 12th African Games in Rabat, Morocco, narrowly losing to Burkina Faso in the final.
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